Ever Been Ghosted?
I learn a lot from my grands – at least when it comes to the lingo used these days. My grandson (whose name will remain anonymous to protect the innocent – he he!) came in and said “She’s ghosting me. I’m done. I’m not going to put up with that anymore!” In my lackluster “lingo” abilities, I queried “Can you tell me what “ghosting” means?” He replies “We’ve been texting back and forth every day, but suddenly, she stopped. I see her on Snapchat and Tik Tok and she’s replying to her friends, but she’s ‘ghosting me’. I did my best to give him wise counsel about giving her some space. Good news is she un-ghosted him and all is well!
Yesterday, I connected with my second to the oldest grandson via text to see if I could bring him dinner. He recently purchased and moved into his first home, so I knew tantalizing him with a meal would give me an open invitation. His home is a bachelor pad, so I gave him plenty of warning. He was delighted and we agreed on 6 pm. When I asked what he’d like to eat…..no reply! Nada! I remembered my grandson’s statement “She’s ghosting me!” I thought: “He’s ghosting me!” LOL! So, I chose a restaurant I like and ordered “to go” for us. I also took him a housewarming basket of goodies! I was proud to see this adorable home that he has furnished with great style (see below pic) and he’s updating portions of the home himself. He has done a great job and he’s thoroughly enjoying doing the updates himself. His home represents such peace and calm! It’s amazing to see my grands mature so quickly!
But, back to “ghosting”. It’s a term that apparently the really cool dudes and dudettes use to stop communication with someone without notice, (i.e., they just disappear). Ever have someone stop texting, calling, emailing, or visiting you for no apparent reason or explanation? You’ve been ghosted!
With my usual lingo, here is my analogy! Jesus “ghosted” His disciples. He showed up and then left without notice. With His resurrection — He ghosted. He died and was buried. But, whoa-la, He reappeared. Jesus will never ghost us. Jesus won’t stop communicating with us for no apparent reason. “He has said, ‘I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)
God’s Word reminds us that He does not ghost His own. He who calls us is faithful. It can be hard to believe. Tragedy, poverty, relationship issues, war, health issues, these and other things consume our thoughts and emotions, distracting us from the evidence of the faithfulness of God across the ages. I’ll admit, with all the evidence we have, there are times when it feels like Jesus ghosted us. But it’s during those times when we experience God’s grace and power and the surpassing peace of the Holy Spirit Who comes to us in the Word with the reality that Jesus has not forsaken us and is faithfulness personified.
Jesus never makes a promise He doesn’t keep. He doesn’t remove His love from us if we behave in certain ways nor is he keeping a record of wrongs that might motivate Him to sneak away. He is utterly and completely faithful in the fullest sense. He will never leave us or forsake us. Never means never.
Unfortunately, we human beings falter, fail, play “ghosting” games with each other. We’re tired of the same-o, same-o whining and complaining of those around us. We need a break, so we “ghost” them for a while. Or we are the “ghostee” – where a close friend or spouse or sibling “ghosts” us. Sadly, some people do come and go. Sometimes it’s legitimate and other times, the absence or disappearance leaves us wondering. We wonder: “Have I been ghosted?” But, not so with Jesus. Faithful. Present. Always. We can take that to the bank! He keeps His promises!