Somebody
Somebody
When you’re nobody the air feels different. You move between characters in
motion, occupying the roles of our lives. You speak to them as to a wall that
echoes. But really, in life’s brevity, is your presence too momentary for people to
REALLY know you? Your practical priorities may not line up. Your visual style
could offend. The message you’re sounding is not one that is HEARD. As
christians, what etchings do we trace into our mortal design? Creation’s first
intent manifested the Most Holy will of One.
Scripture recalls God taking presence with man, “And they heard the sound of the
LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife
hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the
garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”
(Genesis 3:8-9) Why did Adam hesitate? A hesitation because of a dalliance into
wrong? This is the first step from perspective that gives birth to fear. Comfort is
found when we feel as He does. Sin does push Him away but His hands wish to
heal. Have we found them? Do we extend hands to others? An invitation must be
offered before one can accept.
Think of the glory felt. Our Lord, in a garden - the center of all love. We have
little reference. In a time of ignorant tribulation, the Word speaks of “when
Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his
hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of
his face shone because he had been talking with God.” 29 (Exodus 34:29)
Following a pathway to redemption, Moses “glowed.” The Law is a strict directive
but the Giver - divine. Do we glow with the joy of the Most Holy? Does our service
to Him show a radiance of blessing? In sharing His truth do we incite a desire for
more? Leaving each interaction, is the next coupled with anticipation of joy?
Lack of trust brings wandering. Does our confidence take firm hold? “Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all
wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in
your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16) As a new creature and family in one body,
do we care for one another? Do we also understand when love is extended as one
would seek for a lamb? “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance.” (Luke 15:7) Given choice, would a man blind to his own downfall
refuse a well-intended note because of sloppy script? Or the note giver, does his
heart rest when his own imperfections have caused unease?
A mirage is disconcerting. The eye strays from the truth just ahead. Do our
footsteps echo the eager leap through our days or the clumsy stumble of
uncertainty? “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one
another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not
devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these
things I hate, declares the LORD.” (Zech. 8:16-17) Sharing of love should never be
an issue when the body is one. The hand needs the eye that it might successfully
avoid the flame. And the eye is grateful for the hand that controls the mighty
torch of God. The two, conjoined, work His mighty way.
Life’s journey is fraught with trial, toil, and terror. Choices we make spin
uncertainty and misgiving with our stead. First thoughts needing control, though
true, make the sin of selfishness a manacle from which all seek escape. The
glimpse of one sees the “Rubicon”, defining a soul that is all-in, yet with changing
scope could it be the “last straw” for another? Are we patient, discerning? Do we
value our fellowship? “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time
of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17) Crossing a rubicon of devotion, do we often find
our pace lonesome?
Success in this world allows us to serve God most completely. With no “want” can
we give more holy? In our service, do we offer a sacrifice from a self-righteous
king Saul or one spilled from the hands of truly righteous Abel? “Dear friends, do
not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1) From the
beginning there has been but one command, do good. Good, as authorized by our
Maker on the sixth day of His design. (Gen. 1:24-31)
A “mystery,” it is called the blessed walk of our Lord. (Col. 2:2-3) In truth, all
should desire the secrets of this mystery and most aspire whole-heartedly. We
read. We follow. But our perspective, it changes, and with it our “truth.” “The
person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not
subject to merely human judgments.” (1 Corinthians 2:15) We may discern a path
that follows close while exerting a shine in this world. But, with a strike of worldly
might do we approach that great day, unknowingly, with a barrel full of pyrite?
We seek the Lord’s wisdom as fools are often made by ignorance.
In all things we should see Him. We should seek Him. We should model Him. We
look forward, with joy, to Him. He is perfect in creation, loving in all steads, and
merciful with greatest peace. A final call will one day be made. To each will be
given “a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows
saving he that receives it” (Rev 2:17) There will be a call that will leave out
nobody.
- Ryan Griffith
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