be a noticer

Have you ever had to do
a double take?

You know, when you look at something,
and then you have to look again
because you just weren't certain
that you saw it quite right.

Happens to me
mostly when I get in the zone.
You know, rushing through life,
busy trying to get so many things done
that I fail to notice the details.

I can even fail to notice a person
that may be trying to get my attention.
That really makes me feel bad.

So lately, I've been trying
to slow down.
To take in the details a bit more.
To be a noticer.

And I think God is really found there...
in the details.
In His creation, His plans, His word;
in His people.

And It's funny,
because as I was reading Ezekiel,
I noticed that
even as he was getting a tour
of the new Temple God wanted built,
Ezekiel got so busy trying to
keep track of it all the information
he failed to notice
that all the gates were open...
except this one.

Ezekiel wrote...
Then He brought me back
to the outer gate of the sanctuary
which faces toward the east,
but it was shut.
And the Lord said to me,
“This gate shall be shut;
it shall not be opened,
and no man shall enter by it,
because the Lord God of Israel
has entered by it;
therefore it shall be shut.
Ezekiel 44:1-2 NKJV

And it got me thinking
on that detail...
how important it was
that God pointed it out.

God had a specific gate that He wanted
all to Himself.
Kind of like a backstage entrance
to the Temple
that only He would have the key to open.

And honestly, I think
it's pretty reasonable...
considering He's God and all.

And it would be a HOLY gate,
a HOLY entrance.

Now wouldn't that be a great reminder
that God was real.
I mean...
that He really showed up
right there in the House of God?

If there was just one gate special enough,
holy enough, that it was reserved
just for Him...
it meant that the Temple was built
intentionally and purposely
for His worship.

It would be a constant reminder
to all those who served there,
to all those who brought sacrifices,
to all those who neglected to come.
And even to all those who didn't believe...
that God really came to the place
where we worship Him.

It's somewhat like that day
when Moses came upon
that burning bush.
It got his attention and
He had turned aside because
the bush was not being consumed
by the fire.

The Lord called out to Moses,
and after Moses answered...
Then He said,
“Do not draw near this place.
Take your sandals off your feet,
for the place
​where you stand is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5

How awesome it is,
how very special,
that God can enter a gate,
or take occupancy in a bush,
and make something so ordinary,
so plain, into a HOLY meeting place.

But I wonder if sometimes I miss Him
with all my rushing through life,
busy trying to get so many things done
that I fail to notice the details.

I told you, I can even fail to notice a person
that may be trying to get my attention.
And that really makes me feel bad.

And if the one I've missed is God...
WOW, have I really goofed up!
For that means I walked right past
HOLY ground...
probably tromped all over it
with my dirty tennis shoes and all.

Because He's not going to show up
with a flock of angels,
or in that pillar of cloud
or pillar of fire anymore.
He already did that in Exodus.

God is all about new things.
But He is always around,
and He is wanting me to be more
of a noticer...
looking and longing
for opportunities to be His hands and feet
to others in need.

That's where I will find Him.
In the places where I can serve Him.

He may not holler at me,
Hey, Lisa, take off your shoes,
from a burning bush,
But He may be a friend who needs a ride.
Or, He may be someone I know who
has been ill and needs dinner for her family.

And when I say yes to those needs
that tug at my heart...
and when I am obedient to follow
the leading of the Lord,
THEN I'm standing on HOLY ground.

And being a noticer is one of the best
assignments I've ever taken from God.

But if you're wondering whether
you'll notice the right thing,
or how to even hear from God,
let me challenge you
to simply pray this verse...
Let me hear of Your
unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting You.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to You.
Psalm 143:8 NLT

And certainly,
God will show you the way
to His HOLY ground!

Word of God
train me today....
To be a noticer of the details You create.
To stand on Your HOLY ground
​as I seek to serve You today.