August Reflection, By Ron Klein

Do grandparents really care about which board game their grandchildren want to play when the grandparents are visiting?  The important thing is being together, loving and enjoying one another.  Does a young couple planning their next date really care that much about what the activity is going to be?   The activity is mostly a good excuse to be with each other!  It is primarily about the richness of the relationship.

Sometimes we can fret too much about what God’s specific will is, when what God most generally wills is that we are with Him, living the ‘with-God life’.   Nothing can transform us as much as being with Him.  Being with Him is holy time resulting in true health and wholeness.  The story of Christ in the gospel of Matthew emphasizes being with Him at the beginning and the end.  “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said … they will call him ‘Immanuel’ – which means ‘God with us.’ ”  (Matt. 1: 22-23)   “Jesus came to them and said, … ‘go and make disciples … teaching them to obey … And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.’ ”  (Matt. 28:18-20)

We perceive some days and circumstances to be good and some to be bad, however, every time and every place is an opportunity to be with the One who is with us.  We may be asking Him difficult questions, or giving Him thanks, or just sitting quietly and waiting for Him and waiting with Him.   We come to understand that “He determined the times set for us, and the exact places where we live.  He did this so that we would seek Him … and find Him, though He is not far from each of us.”  (Acts 17:26-27)

In Spanish, the word ‘without’ is spelled ‘sin’.  Hmmm, maybe the English usage of this word describes the ‘without-God life’, and the consequences are like living without oxygen.  May you be aware of His presence with you and may you take the appropriate actions coming out of your desire to be more present to Him.  What do you think the appropriate action steps are for you this week?