By Timothy Behlen
For a long time, my heart has been to give others a chance to be in His presence. Since I moved from Ohio to New York, that has not changed.
In fact, I would say it has only grown. The more I discover God’s goodness, the more I see His glory and love.
He never gets disgruntled when we mess up, and He never gets upset when we miss the mark, but rather is happy that we’ve taken a shot at it.
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear [reverence] him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13-14 ESV
He loves in a way that can’t be matched in this world.
And when we as His children reflect it to others, it affects their persona. They often go from being harsh and full of criticism to being open and happy that we’re talking with them.
As we try to act as Jesus would act, listeners often want to hear even more.
God is on the Move
My point is that I have seen God move in such amazing ways these past months from those getting healed of COVID-19 to simple things like getting a gift I had wanted for my birthday, which happened to be rather expensive.
The love of God oozes when we get close to Him and rest in Him. It has such potential to be a force that can change lives when we submit to it.
For example, a coworker of mine had a problem with the college she was attending. She was being required to take part in an overseas program in France in order to graduate, but the program was on hold.
She thought she might not even be able to graduate because of the messy situation. I asked her if I could pray for her. She said it was fine but would rather not be involved.
So, I prayed on my own, asking God to bring justice to her situation. Three months later, the program is back on! She’s just waiting for the college and French authorities to approve her to go.
What amazed me the most was that even though she was not a professing Christian, God was graciously at work. What a loving Father we have!
He answers prayer and cares so much for everyone, often moving mountains for their benefit. Our God truly is a loving Father.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1A NIV
When I lived in Ohio, I repeatedly asked God to allow me to better learn guitar under a skilled instructor who also knew the importance of worship.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Then, after moving to New York, I discovered that the church I attend has a guitarist who is so masterful that a friend describes her as one of the most skilled guitarists they’ve ever performed with!
I’ve been impressed by her ability. I’ll have to admit, there have been times when I’ve stopped playing, sometimes by accident, simply because she has done something on the instrument that’s so amazing.
In my dad’s words, “She plays the guitar for God with a skill level of Eric Clapton in his early days of Cream.” She makes the guitar sing with a full emotion.
I have a lot to learn, but I’m so thankful to have her as a teacher. My Ohio prayer was answered!
It’s so cool to see God move to help us and show us that he is with us. All we have to do is go to Him and act accordingly.
When I moved back to New York, I had no clue how I was going to pay for college and then, I found out my work has a tuition program. The program will be paying a major portion, if not all, of my schooling.
God is so good! He truly does take care of us. It’s funny because I did not think I would have the time to pursue God in the church and go to college.
But, here I am. Sometimes we settle into a poor mental habit, thinking that what we want is too big or too good.
But that’s God’s specialty—providing, giving, and loving us until all we can do is rest in his glory. He is always providing more.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
He’s always calling us closer, and he’s always wanting us to give our desires to him so he can come through.
My Prayer for You
For anyone reading this… I pray, Lord, that they are filled with hope to move ahead as You move, Father, and that they would be inspired to expect their prayers to be answered. I pray that Your love flows out of them.
Let them seek more of this great adventure and discover more of you and your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen. Let’s expect MORE!
In December of 2020, Tim Behlen moved from Tipp City, Ohio, to Syracuse, New York, to study with a church and go to college.
He has since found a guitar teacher, Kathy Blackwell, started learning music theory from a retired music professor, and has been growing in a prophetic lifestyle under Charity Gustke, the head pastor of New Heart Ministries.