Recently a long time friend from my early days in Crowley Lake, I’ll call her Beth, told me the story of what happened when her husband of 30 years died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Naturally, she had been preparing herself for her husband’s death due to the progressive decline caused by the disease. Yet when her companion actually passed away she was immediately overwhelmed with fear and an oppressive sense of aloneness.
As she held her husband’s lifeless body close to her she cried out in desperation to the Lord these words, “I have to know right now where Bill is.” My friend said, from this dire need to know, she loudly repeated the request for several minutes when suddenly she saw a vivid replay of an event that occurred in her past.
It was when she was living in Lake Tahoe and it was her birthday. Patty, her roommate, had asked her to take a drive around the lake later that day. She had agreed but later decided to decline. Her daughter, who was also living with her at the time said, “Patty was really looking forward to you going on that drive and now I think she will be disappointed.” With that, Beth agreed to go on the drive and at the appointed time the two took off.
When they arrived home Beth headed to the front door with her roommate, Patty, behind her. As she opened the door a loud “Happy Birthday!” rang out from her condo, which was packed with every one of her treasured friends. She was completely overcome by the surprise party of thoughtfulness and affection.
“But Lord”, she asked, “What does this memory have to do with where my husband is?” This reply could only have come from Him; “Where Bill is was a surprise I prepared just for him. Just as your roommate, who was standing behind you, couldn’t see your birthday surprise way back then, so it is with you. I have a special surprise waiting for you too, when it is your time to come.” Beth said that instantly she was enveloped in a thick blanket of peace. Peace that truly passed her understanding. No more fear and no more oppression.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord is near to the brokenhearted? Only He could have healed my friend’s wounded and vulnerable heart. What is even more amazing is that the Lord doesn’t have to wait for a traumatic experience to reveal Himself to us as being near.
Jesus’ very name is testament to that reality. He is called “Immanuel, God with us.” He said His sheep would “hear” His voice. He also said He would send the “Comforter” who would lead us into ALL truth. He is called the “Word of God” for heaven’s sake! Why is it that we have such a difficulty believing that our God is a speaking God, and that He desires to communicate with us?
We tell our friends, “Oh, Christianity isn’t a religion it’s a … relationship.” What kind of relationship would we have on earth if all we continually did was have a monologue with a friend instead of a dialogue? Wouldn’t be much of a relationship would it?
During His 3 ½ years here on earth, Jesus modeled the type of relationship He wants us to have with him. Mark’s gospel says that Jesus chose the 12 to be “with” Him. It wasn’t a monologue and it shouldn’t be one for us either. So don’t wait for some trauma to come your way. Start now and do what He said, ask and then expect, because He desires to answer.
Tom Hovsepian is part of the leadership team at Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30a.m. Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
