Is God looking for you? Humble and Contrite

Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
    and what is the place of my rest?
² All these things my hand has made,
    and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
    he who is humble and contrite in spirit
    and trembles at my word.  Isaiah 66:1-2

Where does God like to hang out?  To be sure, Heaven is his home.  It is easy to think of God living there and looking at earth from a distance.  Because He is not visible to our eyes, we are not sure how He is active in our world and specifically in our own personal sphere of influence.  Yet, Isaiah records the Lord’s words saying that His presence is seamless in being every where.

Another may say, that just because He is present, does not mean that He is engaging our lives.  Some think of God as a clock maker.  He created all of the parts to work together.  Then He started the process and stepped back to watch it work.  Yet, Isaiah reveals that God is looking for a specific type of person. God loves to engage His creation.

God likes to hang out with those who are humble and contrite in spirit.  What does that look like?  In part it means that we understand that God is boss in our world and we are not.  Humility in this respect means that we understand that we operate under authority.  We do it with a gracious attitude and not under duress or compulsion.  It doesn’t mean only quietness, but it will include a sincere reverence.   

Another attribute of humility is the expression of thankfulness.  Words of gratefulness are a common theme that are heard from the truly humble.  Being thankful to God and others shows an appreciation for the role that others play within their lives.  Saying thanks does not diminish personal significance, but it shows appropriate appreciation and respect.  IF you look for a humble person, listen for thankfulness.  Someone that talks much about themselves, has little time to show gratefulness toward others.

Father, thank You for being omnipresent.  There is no one that I would go throughout my day that you are not already there.  Nothing I do in life escapes Your notice.  I am glad that you are looking for people who are humble and contrite.  Help me to be one of those people.  Let me show appropriate thankfulness to others who help make life happen.  Let me give you ALL the glory for the good in my life.  Let me be a person that often expresses thanks to You and others.  Help me to listen to my words and consider the meditations of my heart.  Thank you Father.