When Do You Really Know “God is at Work?”

I have noticed a dangerous trend recently when it comes to ministry. It usually has to do with another believer declaring an event or gathering a success and saying “God moved” or “God was there” or “God blessed us.” Usually, it is because there was a decent crowd!
It sounds as if when a crowd shows up God is at work but if less than a few were there, well then, “It wasn’t meant to be.”
When do you know God is at work? Rarely is it in the successes but rather in the storm. Jesus showed up to those who couldn’t walk, talk, hear or even breathe. He spoke to the people to whom religion said it was taboo. He healed people when he wasn’t supposed to. He touched people others wouldn’t come near.
And remember Elijah? When he witnessed God work on the Mountaintop in a grand way he ran away the next day wanting his life to be over! The next time God spoke to him it wasn’t at a gathering it was on a cliff and with a still small voice.
Don’t always look for God in the grandiose gatherings, most times he shows up in our moments of gut-wrenching pain and fear. He reveals himself when we are rowing against the wind and wondering if we will make it out alive. He comes to us when we are ready to give up or give in.
So don’t worry about the fact that you don’t have a crowd. Cry out to God and he will show up. He always does in one way or another.
