Thank the Lord, God Didn’t Just Send a Text

We live in a messaging world. Whether it’s on Facebook, iMessaging, texting, or emails, I would guess that most of us communicate far more often with the written word than ever with a phone call. Texting is quick and straightforward. It’s especially easier to do if you need a fast answer. You get in. Out. And it’s done. Phone calls can be awkward. You dial the number. They answer the call, but because you don’t want to be rude and jump right in, you start with, “Hi this is so-and-so. How are you?” After both parties reply with the proper pleasantries, you are finally able to get down to business.

Recently, in responding to a text, I thought it would be simpler for all involved to answer with a return phone call. The person on the other line didn’t pick up and going to voicemail, I began my response. Halfway through, because I am so used to voice texting using Siri, and because I am such a stickler for proper punctuation—leaving out commas can cause such confusion—I realized I was adding in punctuation as I was talking. It went something like this. “Hi, comma, this is Kim period. How are you, question mark.” When I realized what I was doing, I started laughing so hard, I was crying. Thankfully, it was a messaging system that allowed me to change the response if I wasn’t satisfied. Whew!

There is so much confusion that can accompany a text. Voice inflections, facial expressions—without the help of emojis—can be lost in the swirl of words and abbreviations, sometimes resulting in a simple misunderstanding. My daughter clued me in that if I texted, “K,” instead of “OK,” that meant I was angry. Who knew?

When sin entered the Garden of Eden and the intimacy of walking with God—that only Adam and Eve knew—was broken, God put into action His restorative plan of redemption that would bring us back into union with Him. Through the Patriarchs and the Prophets, He gave us His Ten Commandments and the Torah. Knowing though, that man would misunderstand what was written down and could not possibly attain on his own, the oneness of heart with God that had been lost, God came to us in, His Son, Jesus.

“For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” (Emphasis mine) -John 1:17-19 NLT

Bridging the gap between man and God, not only does Jesus explain the written Word, but at the same time, He fulfills it. Restoring what was lost, only He can give man the heart to be one with the Lord. Jesus in us is our only hope of glory. (See Colossians 1:27.)

If you don’t have a personal relationship with God, He makes it easy. All that is needed, is to humble yourself and tell Him the truth.

That you don’t know Him, but want to.
That you are full of sin, but want to be forgiven and free of it.
That you want to be one with Him, the Lord of all.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20, 21 ESV

So, am I going to stop texting, emailing, or iMessaging? Goodness, no. But Lord willing, even when it takes more time and effort to speak that word of encouragement, to spend time on the phone listening in love, or to meet with someone face-to-face, I’ll think on, and remember how, God, in His love for me, through Jesus, came to meet me personally.

Thank the Lord, He didn’t just send a text.

“Lord, please soften and quicken my heart to give of myself, to let the love of Jesus flow through me. Thank You always for the love You daily give me.”

“…you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” –Psalm 23: 5b, 6 (ESV)

Kimberly