From God to Me

by URSULA HEDGES

Communication has become one of those annoying buzz words of our time. But it’s nevertheless real—and important. Media in all its forms deal in it: the IT world is built on it and expensive courses are offered in “How to be an effective communicator.” We’re bombarded by “communication” and yet, strangely, despite our knowledge and understanding of how it’s done, loneliness and a lack of connectedness are major problems of our Western society.

Some even talk back to their television screens as though it were a person who could receive their responses.

This one-sided communication could be considered either pathetic or humourous, depending on your viewpoint.

Others talk to God, seemingly a one-sided conversation as well. But is it?

Beyond the level of human communication is that of God speaking, or more precisely, communicating with us.

For the sceptic, history records that God has communicated with people—in vision, dream and directly. Many such incidents are preserved in the Bible record, translated into 21st-century language that we can easily grasp.

But what of importance does it communicate? First, it tells me God is there, as He always has been, and He cares about each of us, including me. The first verse of the Bible—in Genesis—says, “In the beginning God . . . ,” which is a profound theological and philosophical statement that gives meaning to my life.

In God’s dealing with humankind, as catalogued in the Bible, He repeatedly states, “Fear not . . . ,” adding, “for I am with you.” I need that amid the stress of life.

And just in case I didn’t get the message, He’s included an array of promises. “I know the plans I have for you,” He says. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). This assures me that as I allow God to lead in my life, that there will be purpose and success.

As the media so graphically informs us each day, ours is a dangerous world, we live with violence, war and unprovoked aggression, ruining the lives of many.

How can I cope with all these nasties in my own life? “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11), says the Bible.

The Bible is full of such promises of comfort. What more do I need? Another great thing about God’s communication is that He is happy for me to talk to Him and will respond as well as listen. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Although the idea exists that you can find all you need within yourself, I haven’t found this to be true; I’ve needed help from others and from God. True to His promise, He’s given me wisdom. I particularly like the bit of the statement that He “gives generously to all without finding fault,” something that not many people are willing to do. That means God accepts my limitations, and is willing to build me up. I like that.

However, when I read the Bible, it’s evident that I’m not to selfishly live in my corner and hoard God’s promises for my own benefit. He expects me to treat others in the same way He treats me. Paul, writing to the Galatians, said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

This law of love Jesus stated in these words: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . and, Love your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Now that’s a big ask! But think about it, is it really? After all, in that most wellknown of Bible texts we read, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

What love is that—to give your life for someone—especially when Jesus could have stayed unharmed in heaven.

His example of love is beyond our finite comprehension. And then He asks me to love others as He loved in order that they might understand more of His love for them. If that’s His message to me, then I’ll have to claim the promise recorded in Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This means that when He gives me a command, He will give me what it takes to fulfil it. That’s great, but then I hear: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

That’s an incentive —to show my love for Him!

The more I get to know God through the Bible, the more promises I find to claim for myself and my friends. This is a special method of praying, which brings both comfort and results. Although bad things do happen in life, when I’m assured that God is in control, because I ask Him to be, He gives me peace as in, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27).

I also have peace because I don’t have to live with guilt, for God has promised forgiveness (1 John 1:9). This means I am free from that great stress.

Jesus coupled this state of an untroubled heart with a wonderful promise to His disciples—and to us—that He would go and prepare a place for me in His heaven, and then to come again to take me to live with Him (John 14:1-3).

This means the evils of this world are for a time only, so I can look forward to a better life without sorrow and death when God “makes all things new.” Excuse me, you say, but how can you be sure when you haven’t seen this better world? Perhaps Jesus recognised that we humans have that problem with doubt about what He says, for in responding to “doubting” Thomas, the disciple, He said, “Blessed [happy] are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). To emphasise this message, He many times told us He will come again.

As I have carefully and prayerfully considered God’s communication with me, I’m impressed that He is a God of love, whom I can trust both today, in my everyday life, and the future, as He comes to earth a second time.

And while the Bible may be an old book and some translations filled with archaic forms of expression, its message is for this millennium, anticipating my needs, desires and aspirations. It is perfect communication and, as a gift from God, I can’t help but respond.

Articles of interest: