Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
Those who are focused on God indeed delight to see one another, because it is an encouragement. Human beings are social animals, and isolation is very damaging. That is one of the major dangers of the current information age. Electronic communication has become so easy, we fail to maintain the in-person contacts that are actually essential to our wellbeing. People rack up hundreds or even thousands of “friends” or “followers” on social media, and yet remain profoundly isolated and lonely. Video chats are far better than nothing, but they are ultimately not a substitute for in-person contact. However, on the spiritual level, if neither person is rightly related to God, the benefits can be minimal. We need to focus first on our vertical connection, and as a natural outgrowth of that, maintain our horizontal connections as well.
This really resonates with me at the moment, because we are scheduled to go to a meeting in Osaka tomorrow, seeing people for the first time in a year. Most of them are not Christians, but they delight to see Cathy and me because of the reflection of Christ in us. Most of them don’t really know that’s what they are attracted to! Then, yesterday I was asked to attend another meeting in Osaka in less than a month, this one entirely Christian. Both trips are actually conditional at the moment, because of my recently identified angina. I plan to go walking this morning, and my wife says that if I have chest pain, she will take it as a sign that we’re not to go to Osaka tomorrow. I will have a detailed cardiology exam the 29th of this month, just before the second meeting, and the result of that will govern whether I make that trip. I personally feel that what is happening is a fulfillment of the strong feelings Cathy and I have both had that the Lord would be moving me out into a wider ministry, and the devil is not happy about that. I am to submit to God and resist the devil! (James 4:7) However, that doesn’t mean being stupid. I will do my best to walk more slowly than usual this morning, so as not to trigger angina that calls for a nitroglycerine tablet. I will have a good supply of them for the Osaka trip, but I don’t want to need them! Next week we will have a multitude of visitors who want to see us, coming from as far away as the US. I am not to be proud that they want to see us, but rejoice with them in the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord. If I fail to wait in hope on God, I will have nothing of value to offer them, whatever their expectations might be. However, if I am properly yielded and obedient, the Body of Christ will be built up.
Father, thank You for this timely reminder. Today will be a full day, with preparing for the trip on top of our usual schedule. Help me be properly sensitive and obedient to You at every turn, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!
