THE LINC COLLECTIVE

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to become fixated on destinations and outcomes. We often find ourselves racing from point A to point B, focused solely on reaching our goals. But what if we’re missing something crucial along the way? What if God is inviting us into a deeper, richer experience of His presence – one that requires us to pause, to listen, and to be open to divine interruptions?

The story of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28 offers a powerful illustration of this truth. Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, stops to rest for the night. As he sleeps with his head on a stone, he experiences a remarkable vision: a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it. God stands above, speaking words of promise and blessing over Jacob’s life.

This encounter teaches us a profound lesson: God’s presence isn’t confined to our planned destinations. He meets us in the ordinary moments, in the pauses of our journey. Jacob awakens and exclaims, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” How often might we echo those words, realizing we’ve rushed past opportunities to experience God’s presence?

We’re called to develop a habit of inviting God into every moment of our lives. This isn’t about grand spiritual experiences, but about cultivating an awareness of His constant presence. Whether we’re in a business meeting, serving at church, or simply going about our daily routines, we can pause and say, “God, I invite you into this moment.”

This shift in perspective challenges our typical approach to faith. Often, we operate from a Greek mindset – linear, abstract, and focused on intellectual understanding. But the Hebrew thought that permeates Scripture offers a different paradigm. It’s cyclical, experiential, and relational. It’s not just about knowing truths about God, but about walking with Him through every season of life.

Consider the difference:

Greek Thought:

• Abstract and philosophical
• Linear (A to B thinking)
• Intellectual understanding
• Spiritual vs. secular divide
• Truth as proposition

Hebrew Thought:

• Concrete and practical
• Cyclical (journey-oriented)
• Experiential and relational
• All of life connected to God
• Truth as lived out

This Hebrew perspective invites us to see our entire lives as sacred space, where every moment is an opportunity to encounter God. It challenges us to hold our plans loosely, allowing room for divine interruptions that might just change everything.

The story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reminds us that God’s blessing and promise aren’t dependent on our perfection. These were ordinary men, with flaws and failures, yet God chose to work through them. Their stories aren’t about reaching a final destination, but about learning to walk with God through every twist and turn of life.

This truth should liberate us from the pressure of always trying to “arrive.” Instead, we can embrace the journey itself as the place where God shapes us and reveals Himself. It’s not about reaching some spiritual pinnacle, but about encountering God’s grace and presence in both the highs and lows of life.

Consider how this might change our approach to spiritual disciplines like tithing. Rather than seeing it as a duty or a means to an end, we can view it as a joyful response to God’s goodness – a tangible way of acknowledging that all we have comes from Him. It becomes less about following rules and more about cultivating a heart that delights in generosity.

This perspective also transforms how we view our plans and aspirations. While it’s good to have goals, we must hold them with open hands. God may have surprises along the way – detours that seem inconvenient but are actually invitations to deeper trust and unexpected blessings.

The challenge for us is to live with greater confidence in God’s promises rather than in our own plans. This doesn’t mean abandoning responsibility or ceasing to make plans. Rather, it’s about recognizing that God’s purposes are bigger than our limited vision. We can trust that even when our path seems unclear or our plans fall apart, God is still at work, weaving our story into His greater narrative.

Living this way requires intentionality. It means slowing down, creating space for reflection, and being willing to let go of our need for control. It might look like:

1. Starting each day by inviting God’s presence into whatever lies ahead.
2. Practicing mindfulness – being fully present in each moment, aware that God is there.
3. Viewing interruptions as potential divine appointments.
4. Regularly reflecting on where we’ve seen God at work, even in unexpected places.
5. Holding our plans loosely, always open to God’s redirections.

As we cultivate this greater awareness of God’s presence, we may find ourselves echoing Jacob’s words more often: “Surely the Lord is in this place.” We’ll begin to see our entire lives as sacred ground, where heaven touches earth and where every moment holds the potential for divine encounter.

This journey of faith isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about walking hand in hand with our Heavenly Father, allowing Him to shape us through every experience. It’s about trusting that He is working all things together for good, even when the path seems unclear.

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