Immanuel

by Dec 11, 2020Easy and Light

Immanuel

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

Immanuel…if I was ever responsible for naming a church, I’ve always known that’s what I would call it. I don’t foresee this happening, but if it does, I’m prepared. Because can’t we all use that reminder, every day, every hour, every minute of our lives? I’ve imagined what it would mean for everyone who enters this imagined church to be shaken by the reality of “God With Us”. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Immanuel, may we ponder “God With Us.” May we inject that into our current reality, be it solitude, silence, anger, sorrow, joy, anticipation, frustration, laughter, fear, angst, celebration…
Our Immanuel, the weight of this word can rock us to our core. Immanuel, may we drop to our knees and seek “God With Us” like a deer pants for water. May the Intimacy found with You carry us through life in anticipation of that one day face to face that awaits us on the other side of eternity when all is made right. Till then, may we seek our Immanuel here and the rest You promise our weary souls.
The thought that we could sit in the reality of “God With Us” has consumed my thoughts randomly over the years. In fact, years ago we built a well in Africa via Charity Water. They told us we could name the well on a dedication plaque. I was ready—“Immanuel, may you be blessed to know God With Us.” I wanted every dry and weary soul who made their way to the well to know that God was there and the water was an invitation to know Him. That He resides with just an invitation. Unfortunately, our request was ultimately denied because the area was torn by religious strife and Charity Water didn’t want the water they were bringing to cause more battles. I thought, what if the news “God With Us” could bring an end to the warring? What if the dry and weary souls just needed to know that God IS with us? Where God goes there is peace, but there is also battle. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the quiet manger scene we all imagine, was far from serene in its reality. “God With Us” came into this world in a spiritual battle that rocked the heavens. Not long after His birth, a price was placed on the head of “God With Us” and untold numbers of baby boys died in the pursuit of “God With Us”.

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