Originally written – February 4th 2013
Tulsa Oklahoma. 81st street near Aspen. The night sky felt cold and dark. I walked slowly, with my freezing hands in my coat pockets. I thought on God and His plan, at least what I know of it.
I felt emotionally empty. I needed refreshing. I felt like it was unjust for God to walk me through trying experiences when it appeared like He didn’t feel them Himself. Even though He’s all-knowing, He’s also all powerful… I wondered if my present state even affected Him. A Biblical knowledge standpoint says it does. But I didn’t feel any emotional agreement with the knowledge I mentally knew.
After walking two miles, I once again neared my house. I had prayed, meditated, rested, breathed, relaxed, and yet… perceived nothing. No word. No leading. No knowing. No vision. No felt encouragement along the way. My cell phone was completely silent as well.
Alone at the house, I thought on my day and its void emotional emptiness. How long will this continue… another day, week, month, year?
In the midst of my own internal misery I remembered…
…The perception of something that at times I’ve lightly esteemed and disregarded. Something that hasn’t left me as long as I’ve obeyed God’s instructions. With no sound from Heaven. No word. No external encouragement. No perceived mental release.
I questioned how it remained. It intensified the plot. It still communicated.
PEACE
It carried a subtle yet real message from God. It was beyond natural understanding. It was God’s message that said, “I’m with you. Keep going”.
In Genesis God showed expressions of deep feelings for the human race.
Genesis 6:5-6
(NLT) The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (6) So the LORD was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart.
On earth Jesus expressed heartfelt emotion:
John 11:34-35 (NLT)
“Where have you put him?” He asked them. They told Him, “Lord, come and see.” (35) Then Jesus wept.
Jesus, God Incarnate cares for you and I. He has the limitless ability to take in the emotion of 7 Billion people and care for each person in real time. He’s able to work out all things for the good of those who love Him.
My friend relayed a story of a man who sensed that God told him to pray for a little girl’s ailing cat. The man didn’t see any great importance of raising this cat from the deathbed. He didn’t understand why God wanted him to pray for this seemingly insignificant animal. It seemed over spiritual.
Then internally he heard:
“Its important to me because its important to her.”
God’s nature doesn’t change because our circumstances do.
God is good even when our circumstances aren’t.
God cares for us even when our doubts persist. Even when our anger begins to rise.
1st Peter 5:6-11 (NLT)
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. (7) Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (8) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (9) Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (10) In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. (11) All power to Him forever! Amen.