I’m going to brag for a moment. I don’t mean to but, it may come out that way. I have the most amazing handful of friends. I couldn’t even begin to pray for all the amazing qualities that they have. When I’m on cloud nine, they are with me. When my eyes brim with tears, they cry with me, pray with me, and love me tangibly with meals, acts of service, encouraging words, and their presence. They don’t run from my hard days and wait patiently for the rain to clear. I don’t scare them away when I share my real true ugly. They point me to the cross, they encourage me toward reconciliation, redemption and peace. They meet me where I am and just do life with me, and I with them.
It wasn’t always this way. I experienced many days where my heart felt lonely and unseen. I felt like if I were my true self, none of the people in my core circle of friends would even want to be around me. But Jesus….
Jesus, filled with loving kindness and unconditional love, encircled me with people who love Him and love me. And I pray that if you aren’t surrounded by that kind of people, that you pray for it. God didn’t ever intend us to do this life alone. Reach out to your local church. Step into the uncomfortable places God is calling you to so that you can be that friend to someone. And I promise, you will find your people.
This morning isn’t a pep talk for friendship. But, a realization that God sees you, desires to be close to you and will absolutely meet you right where you are. He will reach into your broken places. He will walk with you in your wounds and pain. You don’t have to clean up your mess for Him to come. You just need a willing heart to receive Him and He is at your door knocking.
It is so easy to forget how close God actually is. We believe in His omnipresence, but we put that miraculous fact into a box that our finite human minds can understand. Think about it though, God is right there with you and He is simultaneously right here with me. And He is no more present with the child in Uganda than He is with the child in New York. He is here.
If that is the case, God is everywhere, then many come to the question, "Why isn't He intervening in the mess?" "Can He even see what is happening?"
Psalm 94:7-11
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.Not only does He see, He formed your eyes. Not only does He hear, He formed your ears. He is wise, and the creator and giver of wisdom. So, we can trust that the creator of a thing is the One who remains in control of it.
There are days when my happy gets totally bumped out of place. God can feel so far away. My emotions can be really convincing! When emotions seem to be more convincing than the truth of what we know about God, it’s a good time to go to the Word and re-saturate ourselves in His presence. Look further at Psalm 94.
Psalm 94:17-19
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.Before my foot even slips, He holds me up. Meeting me in my falling moment as a support to end my stumbling. And, In my anxiety, His presence lifts me to joy.
God doesn't wait for us to get cleaned up, washed up, fixed up. He comes into our mess, guides us through, and supports us with His presence. He is the sweetest of friends. The one who knows our needs before we even see them. We can rest in Him, knowing He is with us and holding us.
Be loved today my friends.
Be seen.
Walk in the knowledge that God is present in you and through you.
Love,
Jessica
