Holding Mercy's Hand

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. Genesis 19:16

Are you familiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? The people had acted so wickedly that God determined to destroy both of the cities. He had sent two angels to do the work, but before they carried out the destruction they urged Lot to take his family and flee. While Lot told his sons-in-law to get out of the city, for some reason he, himself, hesitated.

Yet, while Lot was hesitating, God — in His mercy — grabbed him and his family by the hand and led them out of the city. I wonder if at the time Lot was upset with the angels for forcing him out. I wonder if he thought they were trying to harm him in some way, or that they might be trying to steal his home. I wonder if he thought he couldn't trust them. I wonder how amazed and thankful he was after he saw what happened to Sodom.

And I wonder how many times God — in His mercy — has grabbed me by the hand and led me away from danger when I hesitated to go. I may never know how God has protected me in my life, but I am sure He has. And I am thankful. Let us hold tightly to His hand every day of our lives, trusting Him to do what He knows is best.

Karen Hossink

Making the Invisible Visible

I’ve been eagerly watching for my flower bulbs to push through the soil. I have a few red tulips, yellow daffodils, and purple hyacinths planted in front of our home; as the sun gets warmer, they start poking their heads up to see if our Michigan winter is over. What I love about this is watching the invisible become visible right before my eyes. All winter the bulbs lie hidden, but God is preparing them for their spring debut.

My spiritual life is sometimes like my garden. At times, I’ve planted, watered, and waited, but I see nothing; no “fruit.” I’ve prayed without success for someone to awaken to Christ; I’ve prayed for marriages that fail and friends who pass on into eternity. I’ve asked for ministries to prosper, only to see them flop; prayed for leaders only to see them abandon their ministries; and I’ve yearned to have an impact for Jesus, then felt as though my efforts are like footprints washed away by waves.

But it’s then that Christ reminds me that “what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Heb. 11:3). He is a God who works in the invisible realm, then makes His work visible. Just as He prepares my bulbs for new life out of sight under the winter soil, He is actively completing His work in the unseen spiritual realm.

What I see as “fruit” and what God is actually accomplishing may be very different! Maybe that’s what “walking by faith” means — believing that the invisible God is responding and working powerfully even when I can’t yet see the evidence.

Lord, as I wait expectantly, knowing my tulips and daffodils will eventually appear, teach me to trust in You to eventually make the invisible work You are doing in my life and in the lives of others visible!

Anne Cody

Director of Group Life, Trinity Church

SHE Blogs!

Welcome, girlfriends, to the world of words and ideas via blogging. Who would have imagined that the 21st century woman would be communicating her thoughts and experiences of life to others around the world with a click of her finger? Apparently God did and that’s why SHE, Seeking Him Everyday, is inviting you to blog with Trinity Women’s Ministry.

Each week you’ll read from the hearts of women just like you whose goals are to be connected, be in the know, and be informed about interests in a woman’s world and how those interests are played out in our lives from a biblical perspective. We want to partner with you and encourage you to be a woman who seeks God every day. So check back to this site often — we’ll publish at least three new posts a week — and don’t forget to share your thoughts with your fellow readers. Just click on the “comment” link at the end of any post.

So join me and my friends as we click our way into the world of blogging and become women who are in the know.

Cathy Bytwerk
Coordinator of Women’s Ministries
Trinity Church, Lansing, MI