God is Not an Illusionist

            When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  (John 16:13)

            Last night I watched an interesting movie, Now You See Me, about a team of four illusionists, “The Four Horsemen” who pull off a series of daring heists against corrupt business leaders during their performances.  The illusionists, modern day Robin Hoods, drain the businessmen’s bank accounts or unload their bank vaults and then shower the audience with the cash they’ve stolen.  The FBI tries to stop the illusionists’ game but “The Four Horsemen” are always one step ahead of the law.

            You may be asking, “What does this have to do with God?”  Stay with me.  I can draw an interesting parallel.

            I believe God is always many steps ahead of us and has a much better view of what’s coming than we do. I think that’s why he gently pushes us in a direction and at times there’s a gentle shove because he’s trying to show us the better path.  Have you ever felt angst about a decision you are attempting to make?  That may be God navigating you in a different direction.  Conversely, do you feel peace as you move forward in a situation even if you don’t understand why?  That could be God saying, “Hey, I know what’s down the road and that’s the exact path I want you to venture down.”  Trust me.  It may not make sense to you now but you’ll understand later.

            But here’s the difference between an illusionist and God:  With an illusionist what you see is not what is really happening.  It is a facade.  He doesn’t reveal his secrets to you because that destroys the illusion. However, God is real, his Word is truth and his Spirit can be trusted.  He will reveal his secrets and at times, your future, if you are obedient to his Word and centered in his will. There is no magic or hocus pocus.  God doesn’t need any of that to draw an audience.

            So the next time you want some clarity about your life and need to know what’s going on behind the scenes, ask God to reveal it to you.  He’s ahead of you but he’ll come back to meet you right where you are, and that’s no illusion.