Tip of My Iceberg

Recently, we had the chance to reconnect with some dear friends who live on the West Coast. When you’re separated by several thousand miles, busy schedules, and family ties, staying in touch can be a bit overwhelming.

What I love about Susie and Alex is that we could pick up exactly where we left off. We know each other well enough, trust each other deeply enough, and enjoy each other completely, so it isn’t a huge leap to jump back into comfortable conversation.

We worked together for a year, and we’ve also been able to connect at our semi-annual conference. Our kids were roughly the same age, and they enjoyed one another as well.

Not every relationship is as easily compatible. Not every friendship can survive without constant interaction.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to invest in relationships with time and energy, seeking to continue to get to know another person, and being intentional about investing in the connection. But in the busyness of life, I know how often I work intensely to be present with who is around me, only to overlook friends who aren’t immediately available.

It’s easy to think God is just as distant as someone we don’t see continually. I we’ve moved away from Him intentionally because of disappointment, pain, or loss, we may feel the need to blame Him for our sadness.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent a message to Jesus telling Him that His friend was dying. When Jesus heard of the situation, He didn’t rush to help His friends; He waited two days before heading to Bethany to see them.

By the time Jesus and the disciples finally made it to their home, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Mary and Martha were both bereft; they loved their brother dearly.

“When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would not have died.’” John 11:20-21.

Mary responded the same way a little later, weeping and falling at the feet of Jesus, believing her brother would have lived if only He’d shown up sooner.

I know how easy it is to believe that Jesus has abandoned me when my circumstances are hard and hurtful. There are times I pray for something, and heaven seems silent. There’s a sense that weighs on me that my requests aren’t good enough, that I’m not good enough.

I don’t see the big picture. God, in His perfect wisdom, understands all of life–He sees all of time as if it’s now. His promise to us is His eternal presence: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b.

No matter what our actions, thoughts, or circumstances, God’s love in Jesus is always with us. “None of this (life) fazes us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing–nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable–absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Savior has embraced us.” Romans 8:38-39.

I may not be able to keep up with everyone I want to stay connected to, but God is with me always. I can’t wander so far that His love isn’t with me; I can’t do anything unthinkable where His presence is removed from me. Once His, always His.

That’s true confidence in the past, present, and future of hope.