Encouragement

Where Is Jesus

by Brandon Braddy
12/04/23
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Psalm 139 1-18 (KJV)

There used to be an illustrated book usually inside the school libraries, back in the days where I was being educated academically. The pages had not many words that I can recall, but every one was overflowing, it seemed, with details. If there is only one lesson I could seek to learn from this book covered with pictures, it would have been summed up in maybe three words, where Waldo is. Hence, the book title of this particular one was named: Where's Waldo? But the seemly coincidence of this book with very much happening in the background, and a slim figure wearing a striped shirt and usually some sort of hat on his head in the midst of it all, I do not believe, was only an odd happening chalked up to luck, that it just found it's way into publication. I personally do not believe in coincidence, or luck, but I do believe in One who orchestrates everything into their beings, not without order or a purpose, God has a reason for all that occurs, even though we do not. He knows all things perfectly. Standing somewhere in the midst of all this, the people in the background, every item, every detail, stood a person, someone easily missed if we did not take time to focus on finding this one, named Waldo. Now, though this was not a Christian book, not even really religious, there is biblical truth we can think of and apply to our lives when it comes down to how valuable a person is to Jesus. I do want you to know, but more importantly, God wants you to realize, how He seeks you out, if you are willing to acknowledge Him, to see Him there through eyes of faith, He is waiting there for each and every one of us, this may sound a bit weird when worded like this, but you and I, we are God's Waldo, we are the ones He came to seek out and save, He notices you, He cares, He forgives you, and praise His awesome name, for He forgives me daily as well, There is nowhere at all to run, in order to escape His love and grace, His firm salvation that comes searching for us all in this life, chasing us down, we are the ones He came to look for, and He is not too egotistical, prideful, or high-minded, too good, so to speak, to stoop down with loving kindness, to show us His goodness and mercy that always has followed us. In every situation, God shows us His amazing nature, it is up to us as He gives us free-will, to place our attention, our adoration, our worship, our entire beings, on the altar, and trust Him while denying ourselves, (the denying part can be a hard thing to do at times if we are honest), and when we cast all of who we are, and set aside what we want for all He is and what He desires for our lives and hearts, we can experience positive change like we never dreamed of, God transforms us continually, if we allow Him to. He loves us, and desires the very best for us according to His will and way. But the Where's Waldo books, I do not think was by accident. And while I am not claiming that there was another inspiration that caused this illustrator, artist, to create this very original work of art, I do believe that this was not the first time anything like this was created. I trust it was in the 1500's that a certain man who will, along with the title of his creation, will now remain nameless, painted a very serious consideration of what life can become, if we are not paying attention to, or we begin to miss, what really matters, or rather, who matters, and what can happen in the business of our days even, we can miss the real Hope who is stooping down, humbling Himself, pleading for us and our attention. For the source of our hope is found in one powerful and important name, if we forgot every name but this one, we could still continue on living with expectation for greater things to come, with plenty of reason to breath in and out each new day, with a peace that passes all our understandings, all in only One name, the name of Jesus. In that painting created by this anonymous artist, there were, it seems, soldiers on horses, there were people all around, but just like in the Where's Waldo books, you must look very hard to see the true and main point of this entire illustration, there is lying somewhere among all those details in the background of it all, a wooden cross, and Jesus kneeling down and struggling beneath the weight of the cross, the very instrument in the bible Jesus carried up to the hill where He would prove His great and undying love for us all. His sacrifice still lives on today, just as much as He and His unconditional love does. Like that work of art shows the denying of, or ignoring of the power of the cross, of the sacrifice of God's Son, even while He was facing so much suffering and agony we cannot fathom, or maybe it is just the business of the times the people succumbed to, whatever reason, those people, even though they are only parts of an illustration, missed it, what really matters, a sacrifice of love poured out, a dying of Heaven's only begotten Son and deliverer, our only true Hope,. Everything is hinged upon the two strong but tender nailed-pierced hands that carried the cross, and also are willing to carry you and me, He holds you today, He waits for us to carry all our burdens, those loads that weigh us down, every prayer, every problem we need solving, every question that needs an answer, God is never too busy for us, He is always there, Do not worry about abusing His presence, that is something we can never do, no way, He longs for us to come to Him in prayer, and cast our cares, questions, all of it on Him, and what we cannot do, He can. He remains there with us and for us all. Please do not miss Him. May we none of us miss the true point of everything that concerns us, Let us not miss the main thing, the true importance of what this life, this season, this time remaining that we hold on this earth, is really about. Do not miss Jesus. He sees us, in the noise, the hustle and bustle of everything, the season itself, with all the details in the background, and all people around us, God sees you, He sees us all, and you are so very important to Him, In His eyes, you as a human being, are the main attraction shining before His eyes, you are the painting, when He beholds you and myself, God does not have to ask, Where are you, child? No. He knows already. Instead, He says, My valuable one, my precious one, my treasure, There you are. And here am I. I have not left, I will never leave you or forsake you. No matter what hurts you may have, what you might be facing, maybe even a crisis of faith, God knows what it is, and He is there, right in the middle of this very urgent moment. We will never have to go far to find Him either. Seek Him. Trust Him. Please do not miss Him. His passion is very great toward us all, His love knows no bounds, and there is no length He is not willing to go that He may find us, and bring us closer to His side. It is just the kind of God He is.