God Is With Us

John Wesley's dying words are recorded as simply:

The best of all, God is with us!

 

Once upon a time, people were very concerned about what their last words were. Knowing their death was imminent, sometimes men of old would repeat their intended dying words several times to make sure their last words were exactly as they were intended and recorded clearly. An account of an observer of Wesley's death testifies that he repeated these words as if to be sure they were clearly noted.

 

Perhaps we would do well to think upon these words. I am on a new adventure as the pastor of a new church. And, as I noted in my message Sunday, my church is in the midst of this "arranged marriage" that we United Methodists create when we appoint pastors to churches. It is easy for both of us to become consumed with figuring one another out. And there is time for that and need for that, but we should do it together remembering that God is with us. God was here before we were and God will be with us and God will be here after we are gone. This is a humbling reminder of our place in the eternity of God.

 

As Moses passed the torch to Joshua, the reminder is given that the Lord will be with them. As Jesus nears his ascension into heaven and is preparing the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, he reminds them that he will be with them to the end of the age. There is something about the human experience that needs a constant reminder of the presence of God in our lives.

 

And it is a comfort. Many Christians live long stretches of their lives wondering where God is. People are often unable to sense God's presence because the pain of the human journey has accumulated to the point that the sensitivity is no longer there to be aware of God. If you fall and break your ankle, you might forget that you are hungry and haven't eaten breakfast. The pain will overcome the sensation of hunger at least for a time.

 

I confessed a degree of apprehension Sunday morning. I want to do a good job as the pastor of this new church. I also know my own faults and so I worry if I will be up to the task. We all experience real fears as to whether we can be all that God has for us to be.

 

But as I reminded myself and the people of Epworth on Sunday morning, God has not called the church to do small things. God has assured us of his presence on our journey, and because of that, we can be bold and do courageous things. My fears of inaptitude for the job are only lies from the adversary that would keep me from trying. God has called us to be strong and to, at least metaphorically, take possession of the land we have been called to take. That "land" might be places where the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the lost are saved, or injustice corrected.

 

I don't know what you might be struggling with today. I don't know what lies you are believing that are keeping you from being or becoming all that God wants for you, but I want you to remember that God is with you.

 

If nothing else got beyond the benediction Sunday, I hope the assurance of God's presence stuck. God's people should know that God is with us. This is the best of news!