Isn’t it frustrating when the Wi-Fi signal drops out? If you’re like me, Google is often the first place I go to for answers. Medical queries, ideas, directions, even Bible verses. I have come to depend on the internet for a lot of life’s questions. But what I long for most is a deep connection with the one who knows all things. Having a close connection with Jesus in a generation that is largely switching off from Him is my greatest longing and ultimate need.
Collecting Data From Creation
I took a delightful stroll through Bute Park in Cardiff recently, soaking up the sunshine and autumn colours. When I slow down in nature, I find myself able to think clearly upon God as Creator of all. It makes sense as His fingerprints are written all over it (Romans 1:20). From praying in incredible landscapes in the USA to worshipping from my hospital bed as a cancer patient at sunset, creation draws my thoughts away from myself, and places them firmly onto the one who placed the sun, moon, and stars in place.
Running The Race
As I observed the sodden yellow and brown leaves beneath my boots, taking in the reflection of every puddle, I caught sight of two runners. They were both holding a band between them. Now, I know absolutely nothing about running. But as I watched them, I imagined one was a pacer helping the other to keep going. They were staying in step together. Perhaps they were both trying to keep accountable by running together. As I followed behind them, I thought of how Jesus has gone before us, and doesn’t let us go. His Spirit is like the band uniting believers to Himself.
Eventually the runners will stop and the band will no longer bind them. Praise God that He never lets us go on alone in this eternal race — we remain in Him. There are times where it can feel like we are disconnected from Jesus. It can feel like He has left us running, then jogging, then walking, before we eventually limp and stop on life’s ongoing, relentless path. The enemy can whisper lies to make us feel as if God has abandoned us, alone in the darkness of the woods. But that is far from the truth. God promises to never leave, nor forsake His people (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).
Setting The Pace
Continuing on my autumn walk, a dog walker was setting a brisk pace that his dog followed. The dog was remarkably well trained off the lead, following nicely behind its master. When his owner went to the left or right, he followed. For followers of Jesus, we are to be like that. Obedient and trained in the truth of His Word, following His commands which are not burdensome, but lifegiving. Following the one who has gone before us.
There is freedom for the Christian. We are not slaves, nor held tightly with a leash. We are free in Christ and He has set us free. We can walk in His ways. We belong to Him, and He loves us. We are not dogs, but image bearers of Him, created to do good works for His glory. With a bounce in our step, we can joyfully yield to Him, keeping in step with Him and delighting in the way ahead — to be in His presence in fullness of life. We remain connected to Him because we are His dearly loved children, and we are in union with Him. He loved us before the foundations of the world. He loved us to the cross. But not for the cross only, but to one day be resurrected and be where He is — forever.
The Embrace Of The Creator
At the end of my walk I came to a quaint tea room. Fancying a cup of coffee, I made my order and waited for it to be brought up the stairs. There was no one else seated, and gentle, instrumental music played, autumnal art hung on the walls, plants draped from the ceiling, sugar cubes piled up neatly in dishes, teacups were placed decoratively on windowsills, and most surprising of all, a very large, old Welsh Bible, was propped open on Jeremiah 1.
I got up from my place and flicked through the pages. God’s Word spread open for all to see in a window overlooking the very trees He designed. I am surprised to see it here, when just outside, the streets of Cardiff seemed so far removed from the truth in its pages. Yet, into the darkness of our world, full of sin and evil, God came to dwell amongst us in the person of Jesus.
Jesus had compassion on the crowds, loved His enemies, and gave His very life for sinners who were dead in their sins. Only He can bring light and hope into the darkness and despair of the situations we encounter. Supremely, it is our hearts that need to know the embrace of a kind, gentle, lowly Saviour. He can transform our hearts from the inside out. We need only come to Him.
Made To Be Connected
With the Bible opened in that café, I was reminded that God has spoken to our broken world through Jesus Christ, the Word of God, by the words contained in its pages. He has revealed Himself to us and longs to connect to us. But are we willing to plug in to the truth found there?
The Bible cannot save us. Jesus saves us. But the Bible testifies to the goodness, greatness, and glory of our Creator who created us for connection with Him. As we open up its pages, we can pray to Jesus to open up our eyes and heart to His Word, and that we would hear His voice. We come to Him in whatever place we find ourselves, remembering that He came to us, first. Jesus has already stepped into this broken world to redeem and restore, to make new and to bring hope. He has given His people His Holy Spirit, and He promises He will return soon.
We crave connection. We seek it online and offline. We desire to have someone to be with us in our triumphs and our tribulations. To be encouraged on life’s journey often filled with pain, loss, and loneliness. There is only one who can fully satisfy that aching to be known.
Throughout history, stories of men, women and children, and the wonder of creation itself, speak truth of God’s goodness in communicating to us. He has revealed Himself in what has been made, and He has revealed Himself by taking on humanity in the person of Jesus Christ, showing us what God is like. God is not distant. He is near. We have only to trust and follow Him. In Christ, we will never lose our connection, and all of our searching is found in Him.
Ruth Clemence – Writer and Blogger 