You Don't Realize Who is With You
The last few weeks God has been whispering to me “You don’t realize who is with you.”I hear it in several songs, while taking a shower, when reading the Bible and when running errands.
“you don’t realize who is with you…”
My Christian response is “God I know that you’re with me, that you’ll never leave me.” To be honest, the last few weeks I’ve felt pretty alone. Not in a sad way (I haven’t felt lonely) – but in a solitude way (like I’ve had more time with just God and I). I’m an extreme extrovert – any personality test I take shows that my “extrovertness” is off the scale. When we moved to California, I had to leave behind several very very close friends + family members. Although we often text, it is a strange feeling to be making friends at the ripe age of 31 with a 3 month old baby in tow! Don’t get me wrong, my husband is my absolute BEST FRIEND and we have a blast together but I’m used to being surrounded by people – I mean, I lived in Manhattan for 10 years!! I was surrounded by people just going to grab a coffee.
I remember when I first started working in nightlife in NYC. I was a young 21 year old girl and was ready to conquer the city that never sleeps. When I’d go to the exclusive nightclubs with my friends we would make sure to be dressed perfectly – while we shivered in the cold – hoping our patience and smiles would get us inside. It was nerve racking and exhilarating all at the same time. I remember one specific cold evening in November 2007. My friend and I had plans to go out in the city and we were meeting my boss and some friends for dinner beforehand. After dinner my boss decided we should go out for drinks – so we went to one of the nightclubs he owned. As we approached the line, he walked straight to the doorman. I stood behind my boss, leaning forward to hear the conversation. The doorman embraced my boss and moved the red velvet rope aside. We were escorted in by two security guards and sat at a VIP table with a few bottles of vodka and champagne awaiting our arrival. After that evening, nightlife changed for me.
I know for many people reading this, this is a strange and maybe far removed comparison but this is how God speaks to me so … That’s that. You see, I had full access, privledge and confidence going into nightclubs after that because I knew the owner. I had even more confidence and authority when I was WITH the owner. No one would DARE refuse my entry if I was with him. Now at the age of 31 I have a relationship with Jesus – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – yet I find myself still waiting in line, shaking at opportunities, scared of rejection. I often forget who it is that is with me.
You know the story of Martha and Mary? If you don’t – please read it before continuing on. It’s in the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42.
I’ve always read this story and kinda sympathized with Martha. I’m a really really hard worker and I kinda felt like Mary should be helping her sister. I’ve always thought about how the story is a story of priorities – that spending time with God should take precedence over work or anything else. Sounds good! If I read my Bible first thing in the morning my Christian moral checkbox is complete. This weekend, God pointed something out to me that I had never seen.
It says in verse 41 it says: But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.
Then something stuck out to me. Jesus pointed out that Martha was worried, bothered and anxious about so many things. She was anxious, in the presence of God. You see, during this hangout at her house, Martha was not realizing WHO it was that she was with. She was with Jesus – who loved her and was the Son of God. Jesus had all authority on earth to meet and take care of her needs and yet she was still worried and anxious. Mary realizes WHO Jesus is – and knows that by being with Him everything else is taken care of and there is nothing to be worried about.
So back to my nightlife analogy. Could you imagine if I approached the nightclub with the owner and said to him “okay – here is the plan- if we arrive early and stand in line and wait and then do this or that – we will get in.” It wouldn’t really matter how good my plan was, the owner would most likely give me a strange look and proceed to the door. I would look foolish and whatever I thought I knew and whatever anxiety I had about getting in on my own would really be unnecessary!
To be honest – it’s really rare for me to forget that God is with me. He has forgiven me and rescued me from so much and countless times He has saved my life. The truth is, I sometimes forget WHO He is. Yes, Jesus is my friend but He is ALSO my Lord. He is familiar and loves me deeply but He also holds the stars in His hands. When I wake up worried and anxious about finances, or stressed about our baby, or am nervous praying for a stranger – I’ve forgotten who I’m really with. I know Jesus of the Bible but I sometimes forget Jesus in my life.
Holy Spirit, I ask that you remind us. That you speak to us throughout the day and remind us that we don’t have to fear because you are with us. I ask that you reveal to us more of who you are.
