O By The Way

How can we experience God in the midst of difficult times?  An age old question, and one that comes into our own experience.  It has been for many an academic exercise, but for most of us, even all of us a very pertinent and existential query. 

As I reflected on this topic in preparing for my sermon last Sunday, I made some points about the need to see the wider perspective, and from the text in II Corinthians 2, that there was meaning in our sufferings as we, like Paul, carry around in our bodies (jars of clay) the death of Jesus and the redemptive promise this represents.  In fact, in another place, Paul writes of completing Christ’s own sufferings (Colossians 1). 

And finally in our sufferings we have opportunity to be an encourager of our fellow sufferers along the way.  In this regard, I am thinking of how we do that.   There simply is something about being with those who are in difficulties, just being present with them.  Among the greatest and most amazing texts in all of scripture is the one that foretells the birth of Christ, as the angel speaks of the birth of the Savior and names him saying, “And (she) shall give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (which means God with us).  The gift of God to us is salvation because he chose to be with us, bridging the gap, making us “no longer strangers to the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2). 

The good news is that the word of God in Jesus has become one of us, among us, companioning with us and we are called to be present with one another, especially in times of difficulty and pain.  I remember the story of little girl from Texas whose neighbor tragically lost their child in an auto accident.  The next day, the little one, went over the the home of the bereaved family, knocked on the door and walked in and just sat down on the lap of the mother of the deceased child…..and they just wept together.  No words were spoken, but the mother later said of all the calls and cards she received none touched her like this little girl sharing her grief.  She remembered what it was to hold a child and experienced first hand the mercy and compassion of God.  You see, it is in our presence, far more than what we say or things we bring that makes the great contribution.

There is something about facing up to our pain, instead of denying it, sharing in the purpose in Christ and in experiencing, actually sharing the pain together that we find God.  He has promised His presence with us in all things, never to leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and He is in the process of fulfilling His promises daily as He restores His broken world among us.  What a Savior!