The Bungee Cord

Hello,

I went to visit a friend who lives about three hours away to watch the Illinois vs. Michigan basketball game. It was a short overnight visit. Our friendship goes back fifty years when we both attended the University of Illinois. We regularly message each other as we watch football and basketball games in our own homes and zoom with each other at halftime. But since I am retired (at least sort of retired) and the game was on a Friday night, I thought it would be great fun to go over to his place and watch the game together.

It may seem to be a long way to travel for a two-hour game, but the travel was well worth it. Modern technology enables a person to stay connected with others, but for me, it simply does not match being with someone. There is something deeper to the conversation when I am in the same room with that person, something more exhilarating in our cheers and boo’s as we sit in front of the TV, something more valued when we drown our sorrows side by side. I find that the mutual presence glues our friendship tighter. Being there, with someone, makes all the technological ways of keeping in touch a far second best.

When I consider how short of a period of time in the expanse or eternity and how far from the throne of heaven Jesus came when Jesus walked this earth, it may appear to some that his visit was an excessive effort. Surely, God could have kept in touch with his people is “technological” ways, and to be sure, he did. He encountered Moses in a burning bush. He sent an angel to Mary. He filled dreams with messages. But all of those things were decidedly second best to God, than when God incarnated himself in a human being and spent face to face time with us. God was there, in person, when Mary and Martha cried at their brother’s tomb, and Jesus cried, too. God was there, in person, when the storms at sea were swallowing up the boat they were in. God was there, in person, when people spat upon him, mocked him, and even crucified him. God was there, in person, when the disciples hid in a locked room fearing for their lives, and even came there again when Thomas was with them.

Knowing what it means to me to be with someone, face to face, I can only believe that God’s short in person visit to be among us was a treasure to him….well worth the trip. I know that it was a treasure to me. Because of that visit, God’s tears and mine are far more than just salty water running down our cheeks. Our dances of joy are far more than knowing the right steps. The problems we carry do not weigh as heavily on our shoulders. Our relationship is not just Elmer’s glued together, but Super glued together.

I am very thankful for the “technological” ways that God and I stay in touch….prayer, baptism, holy communion, worship, and the like…but I am looking forward to the day when we meet again, face to face, in the mansion that holds a room for me, so that I may be “where Jesus is, forever”. And even though that trip will take me through the valley of the shadow of death, I am confident of this: it will be well worth my time and travel.

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger