"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV)
When I say "when God winks", I'm not talking about when he winks in the Biblical sense of the word, as in Acts 17:30, where it literally means "to overlook". No, I am talking about when God winks, as in that sweet confirming feeling when that special caring and wiser elder individual in your life gives you that knowing wink. That assurance feeling. That "I've got your back" reminder. To me it's similar to a God Smile, but not quite the same. A "God Smile" is more an earthly pat on the back. When God "winks", it's His way of saying, "Keep your chin up; I've got your back."
Not long ago, I felt led to attempt to deputize in a few areas extremely far from home. This was a major decision for me, in part because the gasoline alone was going to cost about every penny I had. Starting out, I really only knew for sure a few places that I was going to be able to speak. Still, believing it was the right decision, but not wanting to be unwise, I asked God for confirmation as for what I should do. It came quickly and was undeniable. So, completely walking by faith, I headed out, still a little nervous, but knowing God's hand was in it.
For the next month and a half it seemed like almost every day I saw God wink. From doors opening like I never could have imagined, to the overwelmingly kind way people received me, to the special connections I was blessed to make, to even the little things...especially the little things. There are many things I might need or desire, but that I simply choose to go without. Usually God is the only one that actually knows what those things are. During this time God showed me over and over and over again that not only does He know, but that He cares. And that there is NOTHING so small that He doesn't care about. During this time of contemplating and coming to a more full understanding of this concept, I was meandering through a thrift store one day and right on top of of a book I'd been wanting for a long time was a book called "When God Winks at You". Oh the irony. Needless to say, both of these books are now on my bookshelf.
While I still have quite a long ways to go in this deputational journey, God has truly blown my mind thus far and has shown me His glory in so many beautiful ways. I am thankful I do not serve a distant impersonal God or a God made by man's hands that is nothing more than elements from this earth on which we walk, but rather I serve a God who smiles, who winks, who loves. I serve a God that will take care of me to the same extent that I choose to depend on Him. Never before have I walked so much by faith, and never before have I seen God work so much in my life.
"The love of God cannot be comprehended through knowledge; it can only be known through experience." ~Rev. Rodney Shaw
"..for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." ~Matthew 6:8
