When I picture our tiny slice of universe surrounded by what seems like infinite space, light years, eons, when I think about us, tiny specks on this relatively small piece of celestial real estate, I have to wonder, does God really know me?
When I hear about people who’ve humbled themselves and accepted whatever suffering God has allowed in their lives, when I know they cry out to God, and they just get more, I think, Surely not. Surely not, because it’s unfair or at best, random.
Does the God of the universes way out there hear us when we call? Does he see us as anything more than dust, a collection of atoms, here today and gone tomorrow? Does he know our sorrow, feel our pain?
I would say no to all of this, except. Except I know him. Except I wake up every morning and he is there, the closest and most personal thing in all the world. His word tells me how he collects my tears in a bottle, how he knows me by name and understands my thoughts. He hears and has not forgotten me. His word tells me he sent his son to die so I could be born again, awakened so I can see his glory. And I’ve experienced that awakening.
His word says a lot of things. Some I’ve experienced, some I take on faith. Some things I really don’t get at all. But I know him. And I can’t not trust him. I can’t deny what I’ve seen of him, even when all of life falls to pieces and nothing makes sense.
Life can be cruel. and life is short — for all of us. Whether we know God or not, we have our share of pain and hardship, laughter and beauty. But with him, there is purpose in all of it. Because all of this life is an unveiling of who he is, an invitation to intimacy with our Creator.
Enoch walked with God and then he was no more because God took him. I picture Enoch and God walking side by side. Enoch is caught up in the conversation, so completely wrapped up in God, he doesn’t realize they’ve walked clear off this earth, way beyond this small slice of universe. And it doesn’t much matter because whether on this side of eternity or the other, God was with him, the centerpiece of his life and his whole reason for being.
The God of the universe hears you. Do you hear him?
Yes, I hear Him. I hear Him more clearly as I age. I hear Him more frequently when I am obedient to His leading. Yes, I hear Him because He adopted me so long ago, and now I am His child, and I hear Him. Yes, I hear Him. I hear Him when I listen. And I praise Him that He would hear even me.