I believe the veil between heaven and earth is very thin and often penetrated by messengers from the Father. We read many accounts in scripture of angels coming to earth and getting involved in the stuff of human life. Combine that miraculous thought with the idea that God speaks to us through nature, people, music, art, circumstances, obviously through his Word, and sometimes – even directly to our spirits! Imagine!! Holy communication going on all around us on a more frequent basis than the very thoughts that swirl through our heads at any given moment!
Go back and read that again, slowly
Do you really believe it? When is the last time you felt you received a message from God other than in your quiet time or at church?
In Luke 1:26-38, we find a young girl going about her daily routine in their humble home. While she was rolling up sleeping mats and rolling out bread, God was rolling out the plan for the redemption of the world! He was responding to the groaning of creation.
Notice the descent: Gabriel was sent FROM God TO Galilee TO Nazareth TO a virgin – the young woman I just mentioned. It was a very specific mission with a very specific message.
I love that Gabriel noticed her fear and spoke words to calm her. He stated her favored position with God. Then he got down to business and gave her a few specifics that were surely enough to rock her small world: “You will conceive in your womb (without the requisite coming together with a man); you will give birth to a Son, you will name Him Jesus, and He will have a phenomenal purpose! He will be Holy – the very Son of God!”
And then because Gabriel knew Mary might need something to hold onto to help her believe the unbelievable, he mentioned the aged Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
Then he left.
Nothing-special-Mary in her nothing-special home received news that would change the world forever. Her simple home became a sacred space, and her body the first human temple.
This got me thinking. This “thin space” that is surely visited by holy messengers more often than we think made me wonder if I am missing something. Plus, there’s the idea that there was nothing indicating that Mary and her lifestyle would warrant special communication, to say nothing of a holy mission. If these things are true, what might be some of the messengers and messages he has for me?
I took a day to notice what drew my attention, and whether there might be something God wanted me to know: light from a window through lace curtains; my bed; black and white print; a cup of coffee; a mirror; a door; color; a bird seen from my window; a song; a thought; a feeling… The list went on. I tell you I felt like my home was a holy space that day, and I was keen to hear what God might be saying to me.
I didn’t get a Gabriel, and probably never will. But every day God is trying to get something through to me, if I will develop the eyes and ears to see and hear.
I challenge you to spend today looking and listening for his messengers. You might feel you are on holy ground.