(3 minute read) As a 19 year old I happened to be the kind of guy that was dependable, had many friends that confided in me and sought my counsel. You can say I was older than my age.  Or I can give credit to my parents, roughly in their mid-forties, and say they did a good job raising me 🙂  It was at this same time that many in my circle knew that I was thinking of what to do for my career.

In search of, what seemed at that time, what I will do for the rest of my life, I poured into reading about this profession and that job. Probing for what would fit me best. My mother took the approach of, in a very loving manner, giving me her advice on this profession or that career. The way she involved herself made me feel that she cared. My father took a different approach. He would seek me as I was researching, pull a chair next to me, and start playing a puzzle or reading a book. Time after time he did the same thing. It got me curious and I asked him, “Dad, why do you just sit next to me but never give me advice on the occupations I am analyzing?” My dad smiled and said, “I purposefully sit next to you so you’d know that I am with you regardless of what you choose for your career.” To be honest, I found it odd as his presence without participating kind of felt strange.

Now I am in my mid-forties and my child is 19. For kicks, I tried my dad’s approach and truth be told, it drove me crazy……. I just could not resist getting involved as my child was evaluating what to do. I could not just sit there. After all, we humans want to express our love by being involved, and not just sit there, right?

As I now seek my Lord, and I would think you are in the same shoes, I am desperately hoping to know what direction my God wants me to go. As it would be marvelously wonderful to recognize that this is 100% what the Lord wants. Truth be told, although our Lord is kind of like the dad above, never giving a sign, is always there but not speaking, you and I are convinced that we are indeed 100% where the Lord wants us to be. Can you see what happens when you and I are so sure, yet stand on opposite sides of something?? You and I would point fingers at each other and utter the same sentence, “The Lord is not with you, for the Lord is with me!”

Isn’t the dad above is what the Bible teaches about how our God and Lord is? “I am with you always and till the end of the ages!” Isn’t that what our Lord said? We know this, yet proclaim God is on MY side.

Do you see the division when pointing fingers? Is our God, the one we both worship, a God of division or the Lord of unity??

Who am I to proclaim to another that the Lord is NOT with you??  Who am I???  For what is it to tell someone that you are evil??

My Lord and my God, I come to You seeking that I realize that as much as I want to know that You are 100% with me in what I choose, that makes it in my mind that You are 100% against those that choose opposite to what I choose. May I humble myself enough to remind myself that You are with those that choose opposite to me as much as You are with me. Your presence is not an indication of whose side You are on, rather Your presence is an indication that You love them as much as You love me, regardless of what each chooses. And for Your magnificent love and continued ‘with me’ regardless, I pray that it makes me open my arms to the next person also regardless. I love You and I thank You my Lord. Amen.