A knock at the door of our house …

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

   There is a restlessness that comes to all Christian believers in the tension of living between belief and functioning reality. We can live out our days filled with our living, leaving faith to float around in our minds longing for connection in the interactions of plans, intentions, interruptions and circumstances. If our self-determining and self-directing living is completely consumed with ourselves; where is the space for faith to stop floating about in our minds and be of connecting significance?

     Sadly this is the issue with many people; faith is left without a space to lodge. Faith is left, designated to this floating wandering territory by the inactivity of involving it with our daily living. Sure we may give it momentary lodgings from time to time but we do not give it a permanent home. It becomes more like a trophy or a defining name instead of being a motivating and empowering dynamic allowed living and growing in our life.  True faith in Christ is not a plaque on the wall or gold toned plastic award on a shelf, noting a conversion or a simple belief in Him.  Although being a Christian does require conversion and belief; they are just notations in the endless unfolding of Christ being present, loved, acknowledged, trusted in every moment of our living and in all our days.

Christ longs to be present with us in all things and in all ways. He did give His life to be noted only as the Savior in our conversion or acceptance of Him. His grace is not just a key to the door at the gates of heaven but a living, liberating and empowering creative and redeeming presence in our lives. He stands at the door our lives, not just come in for just a meal but to abide forever.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Suggested Reading … Psalm 16

The One who answers ...

NGO Image, National Gallery of Art, Public Domain

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” (Psalm 34:4-7, KJ21)

   

    There are times in our lives that we ache and yearn, fear and worry and cry and hurt because someone has injured us or our situation in life is bleak and foreboding. These trying times can be momentary, they can be seasonal and they can even be chronic, stretching into years and lifetimes. Even the closest of friends, the most loyal of families, the most devoted of allies and the most intimate of spouses cannot know the deepness of our anguish nor can they at times help us negotiate the tempest of our thoughts and feelings during these times.

   

    Of course we know of the interest, love, companionship, desire and devotion of these that are committed to us but they cannot truly always provide answers to all of our aches, fears, worries and hurts. Oftentimes we do not speak of these matters because we feel friends, families and even spouses should be aware of them. Other times we hesitantly bring up these trials and heartbreak to those around us and we find those around us busy, consumed with other matters or unable to fully provide for our needs. Their love and devotion can and will support us most of the time but there are times when the ache is deeper than their capacities to help.

    

    So who will answer us in those times? There is One who answers when we cry out in our deepest anguish. There is someone who comes when every source of comfort has been exhausted. There is One who comes to those who have waited for long periods of time. It is our Savior. Our Savior knows of our deepest aches, fears and hurts. He knows the anguish in our souls. He even knows the extent and duration of each and every trial. He has listened and He has heard every cry. He is listening now.

  

     Seek Him in your pain. Desire the balm of His presence and compassion. Release your tears and heartbreak to His goodness and you will find Him faithful and true. He is waiting for you to come with all the weight of every one of your troubles and heartaches. He will answer you with His care and provision. You are His child and He loves you.

  

Suggested Reading … Psalm 34