Divine Distance
There is a truth about all of us and that truth is that we will wrestle at times with the absence of God, a divine distance if you will. As we have learned, the greatest promise of the Bible is that God is with us. Even in the most difficult moments of our lives, God promises, “I will be with you.” Yet even with this great promise from God, each of us will at one time or another struggle with the perceived absence of God’s comforting presence. The challenge for each of us is to find a way to hold on to God when we feel as if He has let go of us often causing us to fall into a painful disorientation of our faith leading to a perceived absence of God.
A disorientation of faith may come when someone has lost a job or experienced vocational failure. A disorientation of faith may happen when the word comes back from the doctor’s lab that the test was positive. A disorientation of faith comes when you feel you have failed as a parent. Or it arrives the day someone you loved with all your heart has died. You prayed; you hoped; you don’t understand.
Any of these events will cause us to question the presence of God. Church historian Martin Marty entered a dark time following the death of his wife, Elsa, from cancer. Disoriented by his loss, Marty lamented, “Why, O Absence, when the cry is most intense is the silence most stunning? The passionate heart searches for answers.” Similarly, C. S. Lewis wrote after the death of his wife, “Where is God?...Go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence.”
You see, the hardest part of divine distance is the aversion of God’s face, what feels like his absence, that is the greatest pain...“I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face me?” (Psalm 88:13-14). It was the cry of Job after he was stripped of his children, possessions and health, “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?” (Job 13:24).
Friends, there will be a time in your life that you will struggle with the absence of God in your life. This will likely be one of the darkest times of your life. When this does occur and you are experiencing a divine distance in your life, now this, you are in good company and you are not alone. As the psalmist wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23)
You are not alone, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave your nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Dr. Seuss
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
The Struggle is Real
“Why LORD, do you stand far off?" Psalm 10:1
The absence of God in my life is a real struggle for me. I know in my heart that He isn’t far, but in the day to day struggles of life, I often feel a lack of His presence in my life, and this week has been no exception. It is nothing that God is doing to make me feel this way; it is what I do or don’t do that makes me feel that God is far off. Maybe it’s a particular sin in my life, or an anger in my spirit, or a lack of personal investment in my relationship with Him. All of these things can make the struggle real for me in my perception of God’s absence in my life.
Luke’s gospel tells a story that helps us identify the one obstacle that keeps us from being close with God - it is the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Luke tells us that Martha was “distracted with much serving”. He doesn’t say that she was busy or overly committed, but that she was distracted. Now, to be distracted means to have your attention diverted and it is distraction that becomes our greatest obstacle in our closeness with God. So, what is distracting you from your relationship with God? Work? Family? Your addiction? Sin? Your health? Your smart phone?
The truth is that we all face distractions in our life and it is what we do during those distractions that matter. Later in the story of Martha and Mary, “...you are anxious and troubled about many things” (in other words you are distracted with many things) but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42-42). For Martha and for us, the one thing needed to help us understand the truth that God is never far off is to be with Jesus no matter what else is going on around us.
Jesus made God’s presence available to anyone who wants it. So, if distraction is our greatest obstacle in feeling God’s presence in our lives, then all we need to do is invite Jesus into whatever we are doing at that moment... “Jesus, in this moment, I invite you to be with me.” You see, we don’t need to stop what we’re doing to be with Jesus and feel close to God. We just need to invite Him to be with us.
“Lord, today I commit my day to your care.”
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Dr. Seuss
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
God is Close
“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” - David
Have you ever spoken words like this? Maybe in the quietness of your spirit you cried out, “God, why are you hiding?” Or maybe during a gut-wrenching moment in your life, you wondered where God was and you shouted, “Why have you forgotten me?” I wonder, have you ever cried out to God like this? I have…more than once…and recently.
I think many people feel a perceived absence of God when their prayers aren’t being answered or there is a battle with some kind of health issue. I can certainly relate to both of these. I have prayers that haven’t been answered and after four years, I’m still battling a stomach issue that I haven’t been healed from. You see, unanswered prayers, health issues, not getting the desires of our heart, loss of a spouse, loss of a child, loss of a job, loss of any kind can make us think that God has abandoned us and He doesn’t care. In those moments we cry out, “Why LORD do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)
Well, the truth is that God isn’t far off and He isn’t hiding from you. He is closer than you think. He hears our prayers and He hears our cries. In our darkest times, He is there. In the ordinariness of life, He is there. The story of the Bible isn’t primarily about the desire of people to be with God; it’s the desire of God to be with people. In fact, the greatest promise of the Bible isn't “I will forgive you.” The greatest promise of the Bible is “I will be with you.” It is the reason for our courage, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). When Jesus was born, his name was Immanuel, which means God with us. God is closer than we think. When Jesus left this earth, he said “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
“God is determined that you should be in every respect his friend, his companion, his dwelling place” writes John Ortberg. In others words God is not hiding from you, He has not forgotten you, and He is not far way. God is close and his desire is to be with you. So, “The LORD be with you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-27)
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Dr. Seuss
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
You Have a Calling
Confession: There was a time in my life that my career was the most important thing to me. Climbing the corporate ladder, being respected in my work and earning a big pay check were the most important things to me. My prideful ambition blinded me to what really matters in life. Then I got a calling and that changed everything.
Many of you reading this have a career but do you have a calling? Now, here’s the thing about a career and a calling, and this comes from my own experience…a career is about advancing yourself and a calling is about serving God. I wonder, which one is more important to you? You see, your life is more than just being a C-Level Executive. It is more than working 60 hours a week to get a project done because you fear being viewed as less capable if you don’t complete the project before the deadline. Your life is about more than the number of people who work under you or the title printed on your business card. Your life is about your calling.
The Bible tells the story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who had a career as queen of Persia, but it turns out God had something way more important for her, she had a calling. A man named Haman was enraged when Esther’s cousin Mordecai refused to kneel down and pay honor to Haman. Instead of killing only Mordecai, Haman looked for a way to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews (Esther 3:5-6). Upon hearing this, Mordecai sent some of the most challenging statements to Queen Esther. “Do not think because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:12-14). Just like that, Esther had received her calling to be part of God’s plan to save His people.
You think you have an amazing career and the truth might be that you do have an amazing career. However, if you search the depths of your being, you will see that you have something more important than your career, you have a calling. Often we attempt to disqualify ourselves from our calling, we’re afraid, we’re prideful, or our success in our career is more important to us. So, don’t let your fear, pride, or success in your career blind you to what God says your life is really about.
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Dr. Seuss
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
Men’s Book Study 2 Health
Join a men’s ten-week book study on understanding poverty in Village One. Mondays/ 9-10:30 AM/ 6.27-9.5/ Starbucks at 114th and Dodge/ To learn more, contact Eric Carpenter/ eric@cccomaha.org/ 402.938.1538
Encourage a Father this Father's Day
Good People:
As you know, Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 19th. I know that all of you are not father’s, but you each know a father. This week, I want to challenge you to encourage a father. This could be done by a kind word, a Bible verse, an inspiring quote (see below), a note, a prayer, a hug, a smile, a high five, or a sports guy chest bump. You decide, but find a father who deserves or needs to be encouraged this week.
My prescription for success is based on something my father always used to tell me: You should never try to be better than someone else, but you should never cease trying to be the best you can be. - John Wooden
One night a father overheard his son pray: “Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is.” Later that night, the Father prayed, “Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.” - unknown
His heritage to his children wasn’t words or possessions, but an unspoken treasure, the treasure of his example as a man and a father. - Will Rogers Jr.
A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way. - Unknown
He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. – Clarence Budington Kelland
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. - Jim Valvano
"The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him." - Proverbs 20:7
The father only builds, never destroys. - Douglas MacArthur
A father is his daughters first love and his sons first hero. - Unknown
A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. - Billy Graham
Thank you for taking the time this week to encourage a father!
Blessings, ~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” - Dr. Seuss
“I am…”
“I am” are two of the most powerful words. For what you put after them shapes your reality. So, what words would you put after “I am”? What is the reality you see about yourself? “I am…”
Jesus understood who he was and we see this in the “I am” statements recorded in John’s gospel. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7), “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25-26), “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6), “I am the vine” (John 15:5). For Jesus, there was no doubt in the reality of who he was and he lived his life in that reality.
So, who are you? What is your “I am” statement? I am a father. I am husband. I am a friend. Maybe your “I am” statement is found in you occupation: I am a success. I am a vice president at ABC Corp. I am a teacher. I am a preacher. Perhaps you have a negative view of who you are and the perceived reality that shapes your “I am” statement goes something like this: I am a failure. I am ugly.
Here’s the thing, for those of us who are in Christ, the reality of who we are goes far beyond our “I am” statements or what the world says I am. You see, in Christ “I am…”
- I am loved - “I have loved you with an everlasting love" - Jeremiah 31:3
- I am a child of God – “See what great love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called children of God!” - 1 John 3:1
- I am forgiven – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’” - 1 Peter 2:24
- I am righteous - “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21
- I am set apart – “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” - 1 Peter 2:9
- I am bold – “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold” - 2 Corinthians 3:12
- I am never alone – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8
Friends, there should be no doubt in your reality of who you are. As the psalmist writes, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Let that “I am” statement shape your reality.
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
The Way to the Father
I would like to begin by asking you a question: How many ways are there to get to God? Perhaps a better way to ask the question is: How do you get to the Father? Are there many ways or one way? Does the way to the Father happen by being a good person and doing good works? What do you think?
In the sixth “I am” statement found in John’s gospel, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). You see, many ways to the Father do not exist, there is only one way and that way is Jesus (John 10:7-9). He is the way to God because he is the truth of God (John 1:14) and the life of God (John 1:4). Jesus is the one who gives the promise of life, eternal life, life with the Father to all who believe in Him (John 11:25-26).
Now many will argue that this way is too narrow, but the truth is that this way is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. So, instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way to the Father, perhaps we should be grateful that God has provided a sure way to get to Him.
So, since Jesus is the way, do you feel you are on a bumpy dead-end street or on the interstate? Why? How would you respond to someone who said, “There are many ways to God”?
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life
“I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:26
Have you really thought how important it is to have a proper belief of Jesus? With His fifth “I am” statement, Jesus challenges us to look deep at our belief in Him. It is through a personal belief in Jesus and what He has done that resurrection and eternal life our possible. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” – Jesus (John 11:25).
Too many people believe it is about who you are or what you do that will get you eternal life, but it’s not about those things; it is about what you believe. Whoever believes in Christ has spiritual life that death cannot overcome or lessen in any way. When we realize Jesus’ power and how wonderful his offer to us is, how can we help but commit our lives to him!
To quote Jesus, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26) To those of us who believe this, what a wonderful assurance and certainty we have: “Because I live, you also will live.” – Jesus (John 14:19)
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)
Jesus: The Good Shepherd
In his life, Jesus had no doubt who he was and he shows this understanding by using a series of “I am” statements found in John’s gospel. My favorite and, for me, the most impactful “I am” statement used by Jesus is, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).
This “I am” statement when read alongside what Jesus said in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1:7) changed my relationship with him. Through the parable, the reader sees a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then forgives them. This is the kind of love that brought Jesus to earth to search for lost people and save them. I don’t know about you, but I have been lost many times in my life and am so grateful that I have a Good Shepherd who is willing to come after me and find me. But not only is this Good Shepherd willing to find me, this Good Shepherd loves me with such a great love that he is willing to lay down his life for me. That is a life changing love and that is the kind of love that Jesus has for you and for me.
So, what sin are you lost in? Is there an addiction you can’t beat? Is there an inappropriate relationship in your life? Perhaps it’s your pride. Whatever it is, you don’t have to hide from Jesus. You don’t have to be lost any longer. Cry out and let the Good Shepherd hear you. Find rest in His grace, mercy, and love for you.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found.” – John Newton “Amazing love, how can it be? That you, my King, would die for me.” – Billy James Foote
~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)