EAGERLY AWAITED

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 NIV

Four common, lowercase letters—w-a-n-t—but how rich the story they tell.

Have you ever felt unwanted? Chosen last for every childhood game? Overlooked for promotion? Perhaps you heard cruel words from those who should have spoken instead of their love.

My parents wanted me, loved me—but there’s a difference between wanting and loving a child made in your own image, and wanting who that child really is. So much difference that as a young adult I doubted love even existed. I believed it was a fantasy made up by people not as perceptive as I, people who needed to fool themselves.

Good news! God made you who you are because He wants who you really are. God don’t make no junk. And He has no hidden motives. He wants you simply because He loves you. He is love.

And He wants you with Him.

Enoch walked with God for 300 years (Genesis 5:21) then was no more because God took him home. What was it like to have such a friendship with God? How is it even possible? God is holy—and we are dust clinging to His sandals.

I don’t know what it was like for Enoch—each one walks alone with God—but I do know it is possible. Why? Because that’s what He wants with each of us. Four small letters prayed with fervor in the Garden: w-a-n-t. Four more small letters: w-i-t-h.

And is it possible we can be even closer to Him than Enoch was? Mark Moore, professor at Ozark Bible College, said that most of us have Old Testament Bible characters we’re eager to meet. “But, no!” he said. “They’re eager to meet you—because you have God’s Spirit living in you. They want to know what that’s like.”

God’s Spirit in us, 24/7/365¼. Helping, comforting, guiding, encouraging. He calls to us each moment, “Come, walk with Me today. You may have to stay here until your work is done, but I’m here, too. I will be your home in this broken world.”

There’s so much more. Accept His friendship.

Avi, my Father, draw each of us closer to You every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
P.S. I’m still looking forward to meeting Enoch, and amazed that he’s waiting eagerly to meet me.