At our 2/18 meeting, we learned how Daniel, in Daniel 2:19-23, acknowledged God’s intervention in life and history. Some points to ponder:

• God alone possesses wisdom and power, governs history and rulers, reveals what humans cannot access, and invites His people into a posture of prayerful dependence, public gratitude, and faithful stewardship within complex institutions.
• We experience different ways God breaks into our lives and history. This includes seeing patterns that emerge from the accumulation of experiences and specific instances that defy explanation.
• Daniel did not have superior intellect or more powerful spells. Instead, he trusted that God would break into the world and reveal the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel gave up control of the situation and allowed God to exercise His sovereign authority. 

Does God break into our world during hard times when we feel like we’ve lost our grip? Nebuchadnezzar’s captain of the king’s guard, Arioch, had come to kill all the advisors when Daniel convinced him to pause until Daniel and his friends could inquire of God about the king’s dream. 

Let’s turn this around a bit: What if God was asking us to be His way of  breaking into someone’s world? Phil Bishop facilitated a visit to UA by James Houston a number of years ago. This Oxford scholar, mentored by CS Lewis, shared how his wife was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, and how, during her decline, he realized he was being Jesus to her. Their relationship was a parable of our relationship with Jesus – total dependence because we can do nothing for ourselves. 

Well, a college classmate was on his daily walk some time ago when he called me prior to our going out to visit him and his wife. He wanted us to be aware that his wife had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was clear he was still processing the diagnosis and the import of his caretaker role was just starting to sink in. 

I told him the James Houston story, and he replied, “Thank you! You don’t know how much that means. I’ll always remember that when I walk past this point.” 

We’ll always be presented with opportunities.

The University of Alabama Christian Faculty and Staff Fellowship meets on Wednesdays at 11:45 AM in the Chapel of the Baptist Campus Ministries Building (403 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401) at 4th Avenue and University Boulevard.

See below for a book