Where is God . . . ?

The question "Where is God?", could end a number of ways. For example: Where is God when I need him? Or, Where is God when I hurt? Where was God when that tragedy came? Where was God when I lost everything? Where is God when I'm struggling to keep my head above water? There can come a real weariness when you believe that God loves you, but you see no obvious evidence to support your faith.

There have been many books, prayers, and sermons spoken and written to try and answer these questions; and those who have suffered tragedies, and endured life's difficulties are generally the one's who know the answer to the question, and how it came to them.

Jesus made a direct invitation to those who are weary: He didn't say, 'Work harder, pray harder, be more holy, or get yourself cleaned up'. He said simply, "Come to me . . . and I'll give you rest". So, where is Jesus and where is God? If they promised to never leave my side, then where are they when I struggle?

I wonder if the very first word here may hold a clue for those who are tired and worn out? Jesus said, "Come". It seems to me that in order to 'come' to something, you may need to 'leave' something else. When our children were learning to walk we used to stand them between us and we would call to them, 'Come to daddy', or, 'Come to mummy'. But in order to come to one of us they would have to leave the other who was holding them. And that required trust!

We all have 'safe' things we're reluctant to let go of. It might be things we believe in, or perhaps a person we trust in. Maybe a religious experience, or some event in the past that you hold on to tightly. Only you will know, ultimately, just what you may need to 'leave' in order to 'Come' to Jesus.

When Jesus was 8 days old his parents brought him into the temple in Jerusalem to be blessed by the priest. Israel was a very religious nation, and their Holy books pointed to this exact time when a baby would be born, and would grow up and become their Messiah (Saviour). Of all the 1,000's of people around Jerusalem that day only 2 people would recognise that the Messiah was being carried in his parents arms right in front of them - the old priest Simeon, and another older lady named Anna. My point is this: that it may depend on what you're looking for as to whether or not you recognise that Jesus is right beside you. Most of the people of Israel at that time were looking for a powerful adult to deliver them from Rome; and they missed his entrance as a child.

As a young manager many years ago, a young girl told me off for being inconsiderate of her feelings about her work. I wasn't prepared to admit it straight away, but later I went to her and apologised for being rude and unsympathetic. I recognised that Jesus was speaking to me through her about the way I treated those who worked below me. At times my children have highlighted my ignorance and I've had to listen as Jesus has used them to enlighten me about my 'stuck in the mud' way of doing things.

If you're weary you may need to leave your busyness and go look at a waterfall, or a beautiful landscape. Maybe you need to watch your children sleeping more often to remind you that raising them is worth the effort. You may need to leave your job for a while, take a holiday, and in doing so 'Come away with Jesus'.
About 1,500 years B.C. the Old Testament records an event where a donkey talked to a man to tell him he was headed for disaster if he kept going the way he was (Numbers 22). This man was hardly expecting God to show up in the way he did, and he almost missed him.
God may be closer than you think. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to things unexpected - He just may be right in front of you. He may be speaking to you thru the person you live with. His message to you may be the red traffic light that frustrates you when you're trying to get quickly from A to B. Slow down and have another look, and another listen . . . Talk soon