Lent Day 3 - Breaking Through the Barrier
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8, nlt
Some years ago, I had the privilege of driving a good friend to the airport. She was returning to work that she loved in Turkey, knowing full well that, in all likelihood, she would not see her family and friends for at least two years. It was therefore a bittersweet moment when the time came for us to say goodbye. Our friend’s heart was in Turkey but also here with family and friends.
As soon as she disappeared into the customs area, our slightly teary group began to disperse. However, some of us decided to move to a spot beside a glass wall where passengers can be seen as they make their way to the departure gates. Soon we saw our friend, smiling at us and waving, then turning for one final backward glance before disappearing from view. We tried to communicate with her in various ways, blowing kisses and gesticulating wildly. Meanwhile, I noticed other passengers coming right up to the glass and placing their hands on it, in an effort to reach out to those friends and family on our side one more time. We were glad we had stayed for this final farewell, but it was not the same. That glass barrier stopped us from being heard, from hugging our friend and from communicating as freely as we had earlier.
As I thought about this experience, I realised that sometimes this is how it is between God and me. God is always there, wanting to communicate and be in close relationship with me. But sometimes barriers spring up between us – barriers that I either deliberately put in place or inadvertently allow to grow bigger and bigger over time. I want to talk things over with God heart to heart, and truly want God to speak to me ‘face to face, as one speaks to a friend’, as Moses experienced (Exodus 33:11).
I want God to be intimately involved in all areas of my life. Yet for some unknown reason, I distance myself at times behind one barrier or another. I might decide not to let go of something I know is spoiling our communication – perhaps anger or unforgiveness or lack of trust. Or I might allow myself to become too focused on my writing or too concerned about preparing for speaking engagements so that God’s loving voice becomes more and more indistinct and the wonderful light of God’s presence dims. I know God is there as surely as my friend was there smiling at us from behind that glass wall – but I cannot hear what is being said or feel that restoring, encouraging, comforting touch I need.
I do not want to live like that. I do not want to be alienated from the One who breathes life, creativity, courage and strength into my spirit. Through his death, Jesus has broken down the barrier separating us from God – so why do we insist on re-erecting it in our lives? Instead, may we learn to value our close connection with God so much more, and truly cherish God’s loving, intimate presence with us each day
Taken from God Moments by Jo-Anne Berthelsen
Does your life seem too ordinary to include moments where God breaks in?
God Moments shows why even the most seemingly ordinary life experiences can reveal God’s riches if only we would stop and notice. Based on her personal experiences, Jo-Anne Berthelsen shares how apparently mundane scenes or events in daily life have created unexpected ‘God moments’.
Grounded in Scripture, the 101 uplifting devotions in God Moments encourage us to open our hearts to our extraordinary God and look for him amid our own ordinary routines.
As we walk through Lent it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the one who gave us life. It may be through quiet reflection, or it may be through calling out in the middle of all the busyness. He’s waiting for us to reach out and meet His outstretched hand.