Be encouraged today. You may be struggling in ways you’ve never experienced. In this season we are experiencing detachment from everything that we love, all our normal patterns of life, and many have experienced great loses. The news is overwhelming and the content is mired in opinions and speculations. Nothing is simple.
To be honest, what was once a fulfilling schedule centered around interactions with students and adults, having meaningful conversations and meeting needs based on real relationships has been replaced with the ‘gift’ of technology, void of personal context. My day spills easily into night had have become packed with learning new and wholly insufficient methods of delivering essential content. I believe personal interaction is essential to meaningful content.
So, when I say “I miss you,” what I must mean is that I miss the atmosphere we shared when we are together. I miss the nuances of humor I find in most every conversation. I miss the subtext that is naturally a part of person-to-person interactions. I miss the history we create, the humanity we honor in the interaction, and the unspoken things delivered during time spent together which has its own message. When I say I miss you, I miss these things and more.
This morning I found encouragement. I am drawn to scene found in the passage of John 17 where Jesus pours out his heart before his father. This is such an authentic and raw prayer filled with the glory of the incarnation. This passage of scripture deserves a slow read and far deeper consideration than space or time allows me to amplify today. However, in this payer I find hope through the struggle Jesus shared.
The first part of the prayer Jesus articulates his life purpose, his mission as he goes to his Father in honest ways. I find hope and the model to do the same.
Secondly, Jesus prays for his disciples. He recognizes them as a gift given by God. He truly loved these men and women and he was going to miss them. And in their behalf he and asking God to protect them from the evil one even as God choose them to fulfill His kingdom purposes. I find hope in this as well.
Third, Jesus prays for others! Wow, what a prayer. Vs. 20-26 is all about relationship. Relationship with God, with one another in unity and the transforming, indwelling power of God’s love. How can you not find hope in this?
Jesus struggled was evident in this prayer. He understood the path before him was filled with untold pain, yet he also knew the joy found in the presence of God and desired to complete the work given to Him on our behalf. If you find yourself struggling right now, be kind to yourself and remind yourself. Also, find the bible and read through the prayer in John 17 and be encouraged.
When I say I miss you, I am saying I love you.