Musings on the Book of John written by Connie Hecker
FIRST RESPONSE This is the same God I can stand confidently in, that no matter the trail, no matter the distance, no matter the storms, this God longs to bring His daughter home. All of His daughters and sons.
John 1:38-39 (NIV) Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. As I ponder the attitude of Jesus’ first followers asking where He is staying so they can spend more time with him, I wonder about my own attitude. Do I linger with Jesus? Do I spend my day with Him? Do I run to bring my family to Him, to tell them so they can come to know Him as well? Who brought me? John and Andrew found Jesus at the place He was staying. Was it a room in the neighborhood?
Was it a shelter in the rocks in the area? We have no idea, and it doesn’t matter. The only important thing was the presence of Jesus. Who have I brought into the presence of Jesus? Who has Jesus placed in my path of influence who needs to come into His presence? Am I willing to open my eyes to see, to seek them out, and point them to Jesus? I think about my youngest, who is so far from home, her true home - not a physical shelter. She needs to come into the presence of Jesus. Who will lead her? I am reminded of the God who designed animals, enabling them to travel hundreds of miles through rugged terrain. This is the same God I can stand confidently in, that no matter the trail, no matter the distance, no matter the storms, this God longs to bring His daughter home. All of His daughters and sons. Therefore, I can trust. I can rejoice. The journey may be long and hard, and there will be struggles. But I can trust in a God who calls us into His presence. She will make it home one day. CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE
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