A View of the Mountain
by Susan
The high tech grid called Silicon Valley lies between the Santa Cruz Mountain Range to the west and the Diablo Range to the east. From my home on a typical day, we can see the mountains vaguely in the distance, more or less obscured by clouds, rain, fog, or smog.
On some summer days, the mountains disappear entirely from view, replaced by a thick curtain of murky air. I dislike those days; I feel trapped in an opaque bell jar, disconnected from the earth and my larger environment.
This morning, however, was a rarity — perfect viewing conditions. As I drove along the highway, the atmosphere was so clear that the mountain appeared to have moved within touching distance. I couldn’t help but dwell on the sight, point it out to my kids, and ask my friends if they’d noticed.
My relationship with Jesus is like this situation. The murkiness of the space between has a great deal to do with whether I experience closeness with him, but it doesn’t change the fact that he actually is right there, very close to me. When I’m talking with him, depending on him, learning about him, and pointing him out to others, the spiritual air between us clarifies.
Jesus is closer than we think.
How do you keep the space between clear?
Tags: closer than you think, experiencing jesus, john ortberg
January 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Susan,
I like the steps you take to clear up the murkiness between you and Jesus.
May I ask, what kinds of things cause the fog to settle in the first place?
Is there a way that we can avoid such situations altogether?
I find that if I take time to be with Jesus in the morning…I try not to eat, drink or do anything else until I have had time with conversing with God…reading the Scripture, listening to Him talk to me, then praying, that is, talking back, then spending a quiet time listening…my day always (well, almost always, the last couple of days notwithstanding) goes better, sans fog, smog and other elements that end in -og.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
WCB, I think your strategy is great, a wonderful mnemonic and motivator that will prevent a lot of the descent of -og.
As I said, when I’m focusing on Jesus, he’s there, but when I’m busy and taking him for granted, that’s when the view murkifies.
I suppose I should add that some people do all the right things and still feel distant. Mother Theresa is a public case in point, serving Jesus until she died, although she had lost that feeling of closeness with him.
So, although our perceptions are important, the reality that he is there no matter what is more important. The mountain isn’t moving.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Like you say, staying focused or keeping connected is key. Busyness may distract, but with if we practice the presence of God as Brother Lawrence did, those distracted times should become shorter and shorter. That’s why our family asks about God moments at dinnertime, to remind ourselves daily that God (Jesus) is there, and to share whether we saw through the murkiness to actually recognize in him our lives that day.