In the Distance

So how far can one be from God and still find Him? Or, to consider the question from the opposite direction, how far into the distance will God pursue a man? I don't know a definitive answer, but I see in Scripture a definitive God. Whether influenced by the metaphor of a father longing for the return of his lost son, or the image of Jesus deeply moved by humanity's condition of spiritual disorientation; God's self-sacrificing actions forge our expectations our God, who will dare to deliver up His only Son for our spiritual freedom, will wait patiently and reach deeply into our darkness and turn on the light.

What we preachers reminisce about, develop dialectical discourses regarding, and even tap for inspiration; God allowed me to experience vicariously. For years my friend had been one of the last through the doors on Sunday mornings and first to leave the assembly. He staked out a place at the rear of the auditorium during the assembly, successfully avoiding interaction with most. But, approximately a year ago life came crumbling in on him and in desperation He reached for a God who had always seemed allusive of bona fide satisfying intimacy.

With every other avenue spelling failure he began to open to God. For the first time in his life when he read the Scripture it made sense. Prayers became the substantive language of a seeker, rather than the guilty words of avoidance. Moving from the back of the auditorium to the front he began to engage more people, plug more intimately into the worship, and experience God more as an advocate than an adversary.

Last Sunday morning I rushed through the fellowship center heading for the office, following class, to drop off class material and make sure I had all of the needed material for the sermon. My friend caught me and asked if I would baptize him the following Saturday. Why Saturday? He is very shy and only wanted family and a few friends. All week long I have anticipated last night. And as he stood before witnesses professing his faith we all witnessed what God can do when the lost wants to be found.

This morning with a picture of the baptism on the screen we introduced our church to our new brother. He stood and resounding applause expressed the emotions of the church. The words of a song are resonating in my mind in facilitating my friend's overcome heart of emotions, "I once was lost, but now I am found; was blind but now I see." How far can one be from God and find He is right next door? Far! How pursuant is God of a wondering soul? Very!