11/26/2023
When we first meet Him, God doesn’t just rush into our lives, He treats us much like I learned to treat stray or feral dogs and cats when I was a boy. Whenever I would meet an animal for the first time I would approach it very slowly, then when I was close I would stop, stoop down very slowly, and in a humble voice, talk to it reassuringly until it realized that I was there as a friend.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”
1 Kings 19:12-13 ESV
God has never shouted at me; when we first met He didn’t bully His way into my life or affairs. He approached me with a soft and gentle voice so that I was drawn to Him of my own accord. I felt the magnetism of His peace and calm calling to me, as if I were enchanted, and I wanted to be with Him. Does this sound familiar? Wouldn’t you be inclined to run away or back off if someone had yelled at you, and frightened or pressed you by invading your comfort zone? So it is when we first meet the Lord. God deals with us by patiently revealing His calming nature.
So it is when I am approaching a wild, lost, or frightened, animal. I give them space, and don’t go rushing to them. I wait until I sense the tension in them subsiding then I slowly extend my hand with my fingers together and curled. I ever so patiently let it relax, feel at ease with me, and become used to smelling my scent....
God does this with us as well. When we read the accounts of how He uses His hand in the Bible we find that it is to strike down people and kingdoms, so when extended, our inclination is to be fearful and wince from it. Yet through Jesus the hand of God becomes one of love, healing, and wonder, and it loses its harsh and overwhelming sense; it carries with it the scent of heaven, and calms us.
“while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:30-31 ESV
Once I have calmed the animal that I want to befriend, and after my scent is linked to the fact that I am not a threat, I extend my fingers and make first contact. I slowly and gently extend my fingers to softly touch or pet....
God does this as well, He extends his fingers towards us and ever so gently... touches us... for the first time. I will never forget that moment of first contact with Him in my own life. At first I was afraid, but the instant He touched me it was electric, and every hair on my body stood up as goosebumps covered me. I couldn’t get enough of that feeling, and it was a moment of absolute bliss. Do you recall your first touch from Jesus, and God?
“You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.”
Psalms 145:16-17 ESV
I find this need for touch true when approaching wary, or feral, animals as well. Soon the wild in them will subside and they will accept my hand without fright, and I will be able to slowly run my hand down their backs and rub my fingers behind their ears. I am not only non-threatening, but something that brings them great pleasure, and helps scratch those unreachable places.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
The Lord touches places in us that couldn’t be reached in any other way. He brings contentment into our lives each time He is near, and we long to be with Him always. Our encounter has progressed into uncharted territory and has moved from being a simple physical attraction, albeit one that we can’t really explain, into something more... a relationship that we long for.
Then, after much of this, and once I have been fully accepted, I gently pick up the animal and hold it to me. We are joining tightly together, but if my new friend squirms in the least, I will put him down, and just let him come back to me once more. Eventually we will have bonded completely and the trust will have become something much larger… inseparable love.
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
Isaiah 40:11 ESV
The result of this method I have just described, of approaching an animal that fears humans, was that the wild animal and I had become inseparable for life. A dog would follow me wherever I went, a cat would curl up in my lap to be petted, and both would sleep with me at night. These new friends had come to know my nature, my touch, my scent, my goodness, and my help. They lovingly wanted to be in my house forever, and brought me great joy and pleasure.
God, in like manner takes great pleasure in our relationship with Him, and He desires for us to be with Him, and to dwell in His house... forevermore. Do we approach lost souls in this way? Are we patient, loving, and use the hands, fingers, and embracing arms of God, and Jesus Christ as we approach them? Is this how we win new souls, and bring them to meet Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father?
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for calling my name ever so softly, for extending your hand to me, and for drawing me to you. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ through which the terror of your might has become the tenderness of a healer, and a gentle instrument of grace. You called me in from the wild nature of my feral sinfulness, and have tamed my spirit within me. You have drawn out in me the image of yourself that was distorted by the fall of Adam so long ago. I see in you Father, the ever patient shepherd who tends to me, and treats me with care and affection. You came for me when I was lost, and in love you have brought me into your fold. I thank you Father. You are worthy of all my praise and adoration; I worship you day and night, and sing out your name in my prayers. The relationship you have established with me is the treasure of my life, and the crown upon my head... you have anointed me Father, and call me child. How can I ever stray from your side? How can I wander beyond sight of you? In your house I will remain, and in your arms I will rest always. Praised be your mighty name; your gentle voice.
Rich Forbes