God is Really, Really With Us
I’ve become an avid “noticer”. A noticer is one who observes, notices, and pays attention to details — not one like my husband who would notice and identify flaws in home construction or a musical composition and performance (just ask my Staci about how he “noticed” everything — like the sound quality, her word pronunciation, or the tempo of the music). I became a “noticer” when I became a Technical Writer and Editor for various publications, but mostly of late I’ve become a “noticer of the most important things like one who recognizes God’s nudges as well as His touches in the mainstream of life that point me in the direction I should go or tell me what to say. I’ve sure been a noticer during this season of Advent and Christmas. That word seems to be encased in the traditions of Christmas.
I’ve noticed the words I wrote under some of my Christmas treasures that were purchased to “remember” special times. I noticed my family in the many Christmas pictures I’ve scattered throughout my home. Because of my precious mother-in-law’s distribution of so many of her treasures to me and others, I’ve prominently placed mine where I see them every day. I notice them. I notice words in scriptures that I never noticed before. I’m in good company with my “noticing”. The shepherds were noticers of the angels who broke the news of their Savior’s birth. The Wise Men were noticers of the star that led them to the Christ Child. And, Mary was a noticer and ponderer. Luke 2:19 says (after the shepherds departed): “And Mary pondered (noticed) these things in her heart.” I like that — and I desire to follow Mary’s lead, as well as the shepherds and Wise Men – to notice and ponder.
I like to think that noticing is a part of seeing, hearing and sensing God WITH US. Don’t you love the word “with”? As I wrote that first paragraph, I sensed my husband “WITH” me when I remembered His noticing. I remembered His many hours of coaching our daughter with her music and performances. “WITH” is a powerful word. “Will you go WITH me?” “Stay WITH me.” Here’s the greatest news that Christmas brought us. It brought us God in human flesh. Isaiah 7:14 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel (God with us). GOD WITH US!! In Matthew 28:20 the man, Jesus, said before He ascended into heaven, “Surely I am WITH you always, to the very end of the age.” There were no caveats when He spoke those words. He didn’t say, “If you do this or that, I’ll be with you.” “If you go to church or if you give to the poor, I’ll be with you.” No, none of that. There are no requirements given to us. He is with us. God is with us.
So, in my pondering and noticing and remembering……I realize GOD IS WITH ME. In our times of fear, stress or worry – God is with us. In times of feeling lonely or forsaken, we must not forget – God Who Knows all, sees all and even felt all — is with us. We’re not alone. When we understand and respect that Emmanuel is with us, then even the thoughts we think are what God is wanting us to think, ponder and notice. Maybe they are just not random thoughts but bulls-eye-target thoughts where we are to be God’s representative to our world. We can be on purpose to be aware that God is with us and in us to be His “light” representative. That means as His representative we convey His attitude, actions, and character in and through our lives. God gave us more than miracles and messages. He sent Himself; He sent His Son. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:14. He wants us to NOTICE that He really is WITH US and be bold as His ambassadors to tell the world “God is with us”!