Who is Jesus?

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”), (Matthew 1:22-23).

Have you ever had moments in your life when you just feel completely alone…unseen, forgotten, unimportant, unwanted?

Loneliness has been a recurrent struggle for me these past couple of years. The worst times are when my kids are with their dad and it’s just me in a house built for a family. Honestly, it can be really hard sometimes. I did just get a puppy though, so I’m hoping he will keep me entertained!

Have you ever felt alone although you’re in a group of people? I’ve experienced that walking into a crowded gym until I see a familiar face or when I’m at a get-together with friends who have their kids and spouses with them. While I always have a great time with my friends, it’s hard being the one who’s there alone. It’s not a physical aloneness in those situations but more of an emotional loneliness.

I actually do a lot of things alone, like hiking, going to movies, going out to eat, or checking out new places, and I’m okay with that. It’s not ideal, but I’d rather continue doing things I enjoy solo than sit around at home feeling bored and sorry for myself. And don’t even get me started on the current dating pool! Ugh.

For the past couple of months, I’ve been feeling God leading me to a new church, and two Sundays ago I decided to go check it out…another thing I did by myself.  When I got there, there were only ten minutes before the service started and the parking lot was packed! I somehow found a spot not too far from the front, but when I parked and shut my car off, this intense nervousness set in seeing all these families and couples walking into the church building together. If you know me, you know I’m somewhat of an introvert, so it was difficult for me to walk into this huge church by myself knowing absolutely no one.

I sat there thinking, Why did I come here alone?, and I couldn’t make myself open the door to get out. My gut reaction was to just start the car again and drive the thirty minutes back home. However, I stopped and took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and was just still for a moment. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone…am never alone, so I prayed to Jesus for courage to walk through those doors and go find a seat and see what words He had for me to hear that day.

So, I did just that, knowing that God was with me every step of the way. I found an empty seat in between a very nice lady on one side and a small family on the other. It was an amazing service, so much so that I took my boys back with me this past Sunday. I got to experience their anxieties being in a new place with lots of new faces. However, I got to be there for them, just like Immanuel was for me.

During that particular sermon, the preacher spoke about how our lives can be altered by decisions that others make and that we have no influence over. He spoke about the story of Joseph and all the trials he endured due to decisions made by others. In both Genesis 39:2 and 39:21 it tells us that “The Lord was with Joseph.” Even though he was repeatedly treated unfairly and still had to experience all those difficulties, Joseph was never alone, although it likely seemed that way at times. God was with him through it all.

The same thing can be said for you and me. Your trials aren’t the same as my trials, but we all go through them. Life is hard; God never promised it would be easy. In fact, He said the exact opposite: “…In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). That diagnosis may still come. The relationship may still end. The waiting may still be long. The prayer may till seem unanswered.

However, Immanuel’s presence changes how we walk through the hardships. We can face tomorrow because He is already there. The ending of John 16:33 leaves us with encouragement,“…But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Two other things the preacher said that stood out to me this week were 1) “When people forget, God still remembers” and 2) “Most people will forget you the moment you stop being useful to them.” Those two statements really put things into perspective for me. When people neglect you, God is right there; He never forgets you and knows you by name. When people reject you because they feel you’re no longer of any use to them, Jesus sees your value, and He cherishes His relationship with you.

The fact of the matter is, no single person is going to be there for you 24/7. Everyone is busy and focused on their own lives. Sometimes the closest friendships weaken or dissolve over time. Spouses choose to quit for various reasons. Children turn their backs on parents or parents on their children. Co-workers “throw you under the bus”. People leave. People change. People die. People ghost. People forget. People disappoint us. People turn away when we need them most.

Jesus doesn’t. When everyone else walks away, He remains. Immanuel, “God with us.”

Maybe you’re in a season where you feel no one else understands the burdens you carry. Maybe you’re like me, surrounded by people but still feel lonely. Maybe you’re waiting for God to change a situation, but He seems strangely quiet. Know that the silence doesn’t mean God has left. His presence isn’t measured by how loudly we can hear Him. That’s faith-believing that Jesus is near even when you don’t always feel Him near. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” (Psalm 34:18).

In the Old Testament, we know that God tabernacled with His people so that His glory was always in sight of Israel (Exodus 40:34-38). However, the story of Jesus is ultimately the story of God coming near. John 1:14 tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Jesus didn’t remain distant from our humanity. He stepped into it willingly. With the birth of Jesus, Immanuel arrived in human form to live among his people-literally God with us. He experienced pain, loss, hunger, temptation, weariness, rejection, grief, friendship, etc. He understands what it feels like to walk through this broken world because He walked through it Himself.

Jesus also experienced death when He went to the cross for us. After the third day, Jesus rose from the tomb and was again physically amongst His followers for the next forty days before He ascended to Heaven. Today, while we are unable to see the physical presence of Jesus, He remains with us in Spirit and will continue to do so as He promised when giving His disciples the Great Commission. “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20).

No matter if you’re trudging through the difficult valleys in life or whether you’re basking in the views from the mountaintop right now, Jesus is with us. He always has been, and He always will be. When you find yourself feeling alone and dejected, just be still for a moment and feel the presence of God all around you. Pray for comfort and for the reminder that you are important, you are seen, and you are loved by your constant companion, your Creator and Savior, Immanuel.

“…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Have a blessed week!

-Becky