The Persistent Ache of the Unseen

My family and I took a few days away from Sunday. Just getting away for a few days should take the edge off a little, because in this modern age we live our lives in the thick of it don’t we?

But often that time away is contaminated by a world that demands our constant attention, or maybe it’s us giving in to the pressure of keeping the ‘world’ updated of our every moment. You know, just on those few days away, I frequently saw people take photos (mostly selfies) and then spend the next 15 mins staring at their phone, editing photos, thinking of the perfect caption, then posting to all of their social media sites. That’s 15 mins of their lives that they’ve missed out on just being, of truly experiencing and enjoying the beauty of that place.

I suppose there’s all sorts of reasons why some seem so intent on sharing their lives with people that they might never meet or speak to. Some people make millions of dollars sharing their content, some people actually help others with their content, but I think there’s a multitude who are seeking to soothe a persistent ache in their soul of feeling unseen, unknown or even insignificant.

This Sunday we will have the pleasure of hearing a reflection from Lasi Hunt who will share a message based on Psalm 84:1-2 and John 15:1-7. Just thinking of these passages, they draw us into what it means for us to dwell with our God, with the Psalm being a visceral cry of the soul for God and His courts, and the well-known passage in the gospel of John reminding us of the ultimate source of life, being and flourishing.

These passages suggest that dwelling in the full reality and presence of God is something we should covet and protect from the distractions of the world. But how? Well if you are back from your time away, join us this Sunday and let us listen to scripture with open hearts and minds and what Lasi will share with us.

Take some time to read our passages and meditate on them, although the Word can be a wonderful guide and rule of life, it’s actually much more than that, it’s our assurance that we are seen, that we are known, and that we are significant. As pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson once said: “The Bible is not just a book of information; it is a book of invitation to a relationship in which we are known by name.” You are seen, you are known, and you are significant.

Many blessings

Josh