A few days ago, I saw that whilst we are waiting for God during contemplation, God is also waiting for us. This means that even waiting is a shared experience, although we may feel completely alone.
We tend to dip in and out of experiencing our oneness with God, but for God oneness with us is constant. As we build our relationship with God over the years, we can slowly grasp that no matter how alone we feel, we are still always one with God. This is faith. As Saint Paul states, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1; NLT). Jesus said this first, when he taught, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29; NLT).
Christ himself experienced this paradoxical oneness at first hand on the cross. Despite crying out in despair, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34; NLT), he still prayed with complete faith, “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46; NIV), before taking his final breath.
In the light of these thoughts, here is today’s blog:
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act (Psalm 37:7; NLT).
Be still and silent;
Do not pray:
Here, in darkness,
Wait for God.
When your thoughts
And feelings stray:
Let them go –
Just wait for God.
S/He is with you
All the way:
Whilst waiting,
You’re alone with God.
There’s nothing
That you need to say:
To wait is to be one
With God.
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
References
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD (Psalm 27:14; NLT).
Come close to God, and God will come close to you (James 4:8; NLT).
The LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him (Habakkuk 2:20; NLT).
We are the temple of the Living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NIV).
The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; KJV).
The LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it! (Genesis 28:16; NLT).
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23;4; KJV).