Look for Jesus Wherever You Are

 In the years after God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the people would move from place to place, following God as he led them through the desert. When they arrived at a place where they would stay a while, they would erect the Tabernacle first where the Ark of the Covenant sat and where the people would go to worship and pray. The Ark of the Covenant held the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff and a pot of manna as a reminder to the people of God’s word and will, his power and provision. That tent was the physical symbol of God’s Presence—everywhere they were in camp, they could see the Tabernacle and know God was right there with them.  I wonder if when they saw the Tabernacle in the background while setting up their own tents and taking care of their flocks and their children, they felt God’s peace knowing that God was dwelling there among them and watching over them.

Maybe if I had a huge edifice like the Tabernacle ever in the background of my vision, I might feel as though God was more present in my day. But more likely it would just fade into the background the way things do when you become accustomed to them and begin to look right past them as if they weren’t even there. I don’t have a tabernacle to cart around with me but I don’t need one either. Jesus is the physical representation of the indescribable God, who makes clear for us God’s word and will, power and provision. I once had someone tell me to look for Jesus wherever I go because he is already there. And when life wasn’t so hard, it was easy to remember to take time to find Jesus in every place I went. But these days it’s become much easier to overlook him. He’s more or less faded into the background as I struggle to hold it together and make it through the day which is why I think I started writing again. Because I need to make myself take time to see where Jesus is in my life even if it’s only in hindsight.

This past week, I saw Jesus in the blessings of health and well-being for me and my family. In a few happy hours with family and friends on Thanksgiving. In the prayers of those who know and are supporting me through this difficult time. In comfortable traditions that bring back happy memories and silly stories that made me laugh. In the opportunities I was given to be a blessing to others. And right now, He is here helping me find the words to share.

Welcome Back!

 Six years ago, when I announced that I was ending my weekly devotionals here on this blog, I never thought I would be returning to it. God blessed me early in life with the gift of writing. First as an outlet for the things I did not dare say out loud and then as a means of nurturing and growing my faith. A few friends asked me to share my weekly musings with them and the next thing I know I had my own personal ministry to anyone God led to this blog. I stopped because I was struggling to write anything I felt was meaningful and I thought I had written everything God wanted me to share. At the same time, God was calling me to a new adventure in creating a unique grief program which I ran for several years. I thought I knew where I was going in life and what my future would be and then March 2020 happened and everything changed. My life has been surviving one crisis after another for the past 3-1/2 years and I find myself a little lost, well actually, a lot lost, and desperately trying to hold onto the peace and joy that is only found in Jesus and I’m failing miserably at it.

So here I am, keyboard under my fingertips and tapping out what is on my mind and in my heart in the hope that maybe God might just bring something wonderful out if it, a seed of truth that will grow into a flourishing garden of hope that brings peace and joy. These last three years, I’ve made it through a depressive episode, a mysterious medical issue, my father’s death and taking on the care of my elderly mother, as well as a sudden unexpected career change. Now my mother’s health is declining fast and I’ve got no fight left in me to pull me through. And while that would be a concern for some, I feel a sense of relief in this, knowing that in my weakness, God’s strength abounds. I don’t have to hold it together because he is and that gives me hope because he won’t fail. God is stronger than life’s challenges. I may come out of this all dinged up, but I will come out of it into a new day where he already is. This current trial is temporary. Someday, I will be on the other side of it and be able to look back and see how God carried me through it all and I am already grateful. And in that gratitude, his peace embraces my soul.

Wherever you are in your faith journey, no matter the circumstance, however strong or weak you may feel, I hope you know that God is holding it all together for you.