Immanuel

We have more ability to communicate than at any prior time in history with more loneliness. How can that be?

Maybe the effort that it once took to be with or to relate to one another added to the appreciation of doing life together. That doesn’t mean every interaction was perfect. I’m sure there were laughter and tears, compliments and hurtful statements just as there are now. The difference was, both parties were face to face, which possibly helped to deter some of the nastier comments. The point is, people were connected.

Today we have technology that offers easy access and more availability. Cars, airplanes, and public transportation make reaching longer destinations to visit family and friends a breeze. We carry phones in our pockets or bags giving us immediate contact with others at any time of the day or night. Add online options to the list which afford the opportunity to meet from far or near. One would think our bonds would be better than ever, yet reality reveals the opposite. In fact, too often we have turned our technology into mechanisms of division and separation.

In the Bible, the Gospel writer, Matthew, understood the importance of relationship. Early in his account he wrote: “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us‘)” (Matt. 1:23NIV). He ended it with “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt.28:20b).

Who is this one who filled the description of Immanuel and who said He would be with His followers every day and forever? Well, take that Bible from the shelf and dust it off to see! Every page in Matthew’s Gospel is about the life and teachings of that one – Jesus.

I noticed something as I read. Jesus was always meeting people, coming to people, extending hope and healing to people. He came in human flesh and therefore understood every joy, pain, and sorrow that we experience – including loneliness. He reached out and told His disciples to do the same: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 20:19a).

Jesus told His followers to go. Not to stay home. Not to wait for others to come to us. Go! … but not alone. For followers of Jesus, God is with us in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives in our souls. Therefore, we have a job to do. Let’s begin immediately to use what we have to reach out as He did.

• Pick up the phone and call someone.
• Arrange for a visit with a family member or friend, then get in the car and go!
• Meet with someone for lunch. In person is best, but if that isn’t possible due to health or distance, use technology to have lunch “together” face-to-face online.
• Greet someone on the street or in the grocery store.
• Walk to a neighbor’s house just to say hello.
• Grab a pen and write a note to communicate care for them.

There are many ways to be like Jesus – to go as He instructed. Remember we are never alone. Immanuel is not just a name to be read each year in the Christmas story and then forgotten until the season rolls around again. God is with us every day.

What a perfect time it is right now to reach out and share the good news of Jesus “with” others during this week leading up to Resurrection Sunday! Why not take someone along to one of the services at church or invite them over to watch online?

Making disciples starts by simply being with another person in relationship.

Shelley 03252021 © 2019-2021 Shelley Ministries.  All Rights Reserved. Photo used by permission.