Devotional 7-17-20

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me………..
I come to the end – I am still with you.
                          Psalm 139:1-5, 18
 
 
It is so natural for us as human beings and children of God, to reach out and touch our family, friends and loved ones constantly.  We use our phones to call each other up; we meet each other for a meal or a special time together; we run into each other at various activities, so there are hugs and kisses and warm greetings. We are a touchy, feely loving group of people.  It’s what we do.  It’s how we get to know new people as well, so we can share God and God’s love.
 
That is – until this Coved 19 virus came to live among us.  Now, since we are trying to not encourage the spread of this virus, we don’t touch, or hug, or get too close to each other.  We must distance ourselves, and watch what we do at all times, so we can be safe and we can keep everyone around us safe.
 
Because of these safety issues, I have learned new ways of communicating with others, at a safe distance from them.  Zoom calls have become an amazing way to talk and see others, without actually being in the same location.  For me, these calls have ranged in size from a training session with just one other person, learning new techniques for reaching out to others - to a meeting with 250 other people and voting on the future of their work situations.  I have also learned how to make presentations, take tests, read to others and work out math problems as I helped my grandsons in virtual school during this spring.  It has been truly unbelievable to me, to learn all of these new tools for communicating at the age of 70.
 
But I am soooo grateful that nothing has changed with our communication arrangement with God.  As the words in Psalm 139 explain, God knows us completely - no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing - from the beginning of our life to the end.  God knows us inside and out, and God is always present with us.  What reassuring, joy- filled knowledge for us to carry in our hearts and minds, and to know as we live out each day of out lives. God is always with us!!!
 
Thanks be to God.  Amen!  
Rev. Suzanne Ellis