Two old proverbs stand in contradiction. One insists that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ I like that one, don’t you. The other says ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ speaking to an honest reality. The longer we are separated from others, the less space they occupy in our thoughts, crowded out by the ongoing activities of our lives. Some are ‘invisible’ because of age, or poverty, or physical limitations. Without careful intention we will overlook them, forget to include them, or even ignore their existence all together. Tragic, right? But, all too true.
In the 31st Psalm, David writes a lament. “I am a dread to my friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. (useless)” (Psalm 31:11)
It may be that you are feeling somewhat invisible these
days, even feeling like God Himself has sidelined you from life’s
mainstream. I can assure you that He has
not forgotten you and that there are things that can happen to us in those
times that will not happen when we are swept along by the noisy swirl of a
busy life.
Even when our own choices
cause us to be forsaken by others, God will not write us off! When the people of Judah were taken up by selfishness,
greedy and sinful, God allowed their nation to be overwhelmed by Babylon, the
best and brightest of the land carried off in slavery. Yet they were not forgotten nor abandoned. Listen
to His promise. “The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years.
But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I
will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
(Jeremiah 29:10-11, NLT)
In reading the story of the first generation Christians in
the book of Acts, I find that one of the ‘superstars’ of that generation spent
time on the sidelines. Saul (later, Paul) had an experience with Jesus that
changed him. He then disappeared from the scene for severel years! He mentions spending time in Arabia, but the
details are lost to us. Was the apostle to the Gentile world forgotten,
invisible to God. Not at all!
As the Church began to grow, many moved from
Jerusalem to Antioch to avoid persecution. The increasing numbers needed leadership,
so we read that "News of this
reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and
encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a
good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were
brought to the Lord.”
It was soon obvious to Barnabas that his spiritual gifts of encouragement needed to be balanced by a teacher, someone whose gifts would strengthen and stabilize the new converts. Someone remembered a man schooled in Scripture, who had taughts Believers in Damascus. The story goes on to tell us - “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:22-26, NIV) Paul went on to change the Roman world, taking the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the Empire and leaving us letters that make up about half of the New Testament!
If you’re living in the shadows, if you’re feeling out of
sight and out of mind, give yourself to prayerful reflection and ask the Lord
to help you to be content in that situation as HE does what HE wants to do in
your life. Pastor Chuck Swindoll suggests that there are at least four things
that can happen in us while we are in such a time of life.
- We can learn to live with PATIENCE, able to wait without complaint.
- We can learn that we are not INDISPENSABLE, developing genuine humility.
- We can discover DEPTH in the life of the Spirit, understanding Who God is better.
- We will find out about God’s PLANS and RESOURCES, making us more effective in our service.
Friendships may die. Circumstances beyond our control may move us from the place we most desire. Choices we make may cause us to be set aside. Illness may come leading to confinement. Age will surely bring its own challenges. But know this: you are not forgotten, no never, by the Lord of Heaven. Be careful about kicking and screaming for attention! Avoid trying to break open something, anything, to leave that place where you feel so useless. Instead, be present to the Spirit, entering into worship, listening for the Spirit’s voice.
Let the story of Hagar, the slave girl of Abraham’s household who was mistreated and ‘forgotten’ when she ran away into the desert to escape her torment. There she met the Angel of the Lord, her heart renewed, and her strength restored. This is our word from the Word today - "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13-14, NIV)
Most loving Lord,
Give me a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards;
An unconquered heart, which no hardship can wear out;
An upright heart, which no worthless purpose can ensnare.
Give me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you,
and a faithfulness that will finally embrace you;
Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
- Thomas
Aquinas (1225-1274)
(Video of this blog at this link)
_____________________________
Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart
Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way\
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher
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