Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes. (Hos. 3:1)
There are two types of videos that consistently make me emotional. Show me a video of a soldier’s surprise return after a deployment or a long-lost dog returning to its owner, and you can guarantee that I’m fighting back tears. And if it’s a video of a dog reacting to their owner returning from deployment, you can just go ahead and cue the ugly cry. There’s something about someone who was away or lost coming home that just speaks to the soul.
In a very dark season, it is easy to feel like the presence of God has moved on from our present circumstances. We can feel forsaken. But if we’re honest, the truth is either that we are the ones who moved away or that we’ve allowed our circumstances to obstruct our view of his presence. We tend to want to take back the reins or to only see the obstacles. This cycle can be difficult to bring to an end. But one of the most loving and encouraging truths about the Father is that despite our struggles, including giving him control, he never gives up on us.
Maybe instead of asking God to be present in our circumstances, we should make the effort to be wherever God is present. Maybe instead of asking him to come to us, we should stay where he is.
Stay close to the presence of the Father.
Matt Rhodes is co-lead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. He is passionate about seeing people discover and live out the unique call that God has placed on their life.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
