Jesus is always close to you says Fr Alvan

When the trials of life feel like they have you rushing without control down a river of despair, cling to the presence and purposefulness of God. Just know you are not alone; you are not abandoned, says Fr Alvan Ibeh in his latest Voice of Hope column.

As I was trying to figure out a topic for this edition, I came across a video of the popular Australian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel on YouTube. While I was reading through the comments, I saw a comment that attracted my attention and immediately gave me the insight I needed to write this month’s article. Here is the person’s comment:

“After a serious motorcycle accident three weeks ago, with severe injuries, I believed Jesus had abandoned me. Then I saw video footage of the accident and am ashamed of my assumption. Jesus was very close to me during the accident and made sure that I survived”.

I could remember there was a time I felt the same way this person felt. There was a time after I was also involved in a serious accident, that I felt God had abandoned me to my fate. I asked God a lot of questions but didn’t get any immediate answer and so I concluded that He is no longer there. 

But when I reflect on what I could remember that happened that day and what I was told that happened, but I didn’t see I, like this our brother, also feel ashamed of my assumption. The fact is that with our human eyes, we do not see everything as it happens. We only judge by what we see but one thing is certain, God’s see the bigger picture. He sees beyond what we can see.  The story was that all those who witnessed the accident concluded that I was not going to survive. Even when I was rushed to the hospital, a lot of people were certain that I wouldn’t make it. Also like our brother said, “Jesus was very close to me during the accident and made sure that I survived.”

Sometimes, we may be tempted to conclude from our circumstances that God has abandoned us or that He is displeased with us. But what if whatever we are passing through were intended to reveal something else? What if God means to show us the preciousness of his Love, while strengthening our faith?

Remember the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Even in the pit, He didn’t feel abandoned, because he knew God was with Him. Later in the story we read these words: “The Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2). Do you believe that even in our own pits, God can never abandon us? Do you know that He is always close to you? Do you believe in the promises of God to us in His word? Here are some of them:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“Keep your lives free from love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

When the trials of life feel like they have you rushing without control down a river of despair, cling to the presence and purposefulness of God. Just know you are not alone; you are not abandoned. God is not only changing you through this, but He is also with you through this. God bless you.

Photo by Jisso Heby.

Comments