Noticed
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
There comes a point at which all other options, all other considerations are seen to be as they have been all along- totally and utterly meaningless. While there are daily dealings that must be acknowledged, there is an eternal dealing that more often than not gets ignored. When this point of accepting reality is reached, however, there is an overwhelming realization that the very element ignored all along is the resource from which all of full life’s requirements comes. It is at this point that an incredible confidence begins to flourish. It is where the Holy Spirit becomes the much needed and required Comforter. As coveting for those other meaningless objects is overtaken by a passion for the Father’s nearness, boldness begins to be displayed where timidity and self consciousness once ruled.
It’s interesting to observe the manners and behavior of people of all ages, but in this particular case- those of teen age. It’s probably just because my own children are in the midst of the wonder years that I’m experiencing this at a magnified level, but it seems to be very common for a person of my generation to be completely ignored in the pressing hubbub of a teen gathering. Even when there aren’t that many, (merely doing the servant duties of answering the door) there is this tendency for them to avoid any eye contact and just brush right on past. There appears to be a ranking of relevance going on of which the oldsters just aren’t placing very highly. Now, this doesn’t apply to every one of them, because there are a few of these delightful creatures that will actually go out of their way to acknowledge the ancient ones and engage them in conversation. For those few brave souls there is the presence of something I’ve noticed to be a bit rare in humans of any age- security and confidence. When there is an element of significance given to the wrinkling one’s existence, there is a display of boldness and confidence gained that enables conversation and the communication of some potentially enlightening and enjoyable thoughts.
It is so easy to be focused on the people, places, and things that are so strategically placed around us . Quite often we might have the Ancient of Days holding the door open for our entrance to His presence with nary a verbal or visual acknowledgement of His loving gaze. Somehow on the ranking scale He just isn’t placing very highly at the moment as there are things of ‘real’ importance requiring our immediate attention. As this becomes the case, there is a level of insecurity to which we begin to succumb. As those meaningless objects occupy the place of dominance in our hearts, the substance of God’s presence that would make our foundation strong and immovable is displaced with shifting and unsure sand. We cannot begin to rightfully say, ” the Lord is my helper”, when we haven’t even been noticing whether or not He was there. Where ’self’ gratification and concern for one’s own welfare and recognition are the order of the day, worry prevails and fear of man takes over.
There is an engaging conversation to be held. There is an experience of provision. There is an establishing of righteousness in the mere awareness that He is there. Contentment and satisfaction are directly related, not to the handing over of material and earthly items, but they are always present where the loving face of the Father is noticed and sought after with a passionate heart. In knowing Him- the sound of His voice, the glory of His gaze, and the wonder of His touch- there is an assurance that there will be a lack for nothing. Where worry and uncertainty filtered out the light of day, there is a flooding of confidence and surety that this, indeed, is the lighted day the Lord has made. Rejoicing replaces mumbling and complaining, and even before the appearance of that needed earthly item, there is a boldness to proclaim, “the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me!”.
Behold, He’s standing at the door continually and patiently waiting to be the noticed One- to be allowed to come into our moments and establish His confidence and stability. Today’s the day of boldness. Today is the day of fearlessness with the inclusion of Almighty God in our every vision and conversation.
