The wall between us
I recently had some time away with family. Beside our lodging was a small white church. As I viewed the steeple, from my position behind the wall separating the buildings, I pondered the concept of obstacles or problems that come between us in our relationships–the wall between us.
We were in a quiet setting beside a beautiful lake. Time to relax, reflect, play in the lake with grandchildren, and praise God for His many blessings. In this lovely setting, I didn’t feel separated from loved ones–I felt the joy of being together with family.
The wall between us
But as I continued to see that white wall each time I exited our room, I recalled when I was separated from the one who loved me most–my heavenly Father.
Yes–once there a wall between God and me–constructed with my selfish need to be in control of relationships. I built this wall with anger, fear, and distrust.
But God promises to always be with us. Why couldn’t I trust His promises?
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5)
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. (Psalm 111:7-8)
God is trustworthy
I lived in doubt and fear because I didn’t trust in God’s love. I only felt safe being in control. But we are only safe when we submit to God.
Our loving Father recognizes our need and our fears.
That’s why Jesus came. I–We can never be good enough to deserve our loving Father’s mercy. Even when I least deserved His forgiveness and mercy, God sent Jesus as my Savior. He pulled me from the pit of sin.
Our Savior breaks down the wall between us and our loving Father.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Nothing came separate us from God’s love–except ourselves. Only we can build the wall between us and our loving Savior. And only we–with God’s help–can tear down the wall.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35,37,39)
He is always with us–no barriers or walls–unless we construct one. Is there something between you and our Lord you should remove? A wall in progress you should tear down piece by piece with God’s promise?
Our Lord is our Light. I pray His blessings for you, my friend.
That wall presents so many problems in our lives. We do want to have control but we also find out when we try to manipulate situations we only create bigger ones. Prov. 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our own understanding. When I have finally gotten that message and let God lead I find peace and contentment. Thanks for the lovely pictures, Katherine.
I also had an issue of needing/wanting to be in control at all times. It caused terrible problems in my marriage. Thankfully, our Father is loving and merciful and helped me change. Proverbs 3:5-6 helped me on my journey to submission. Thank you for sharing, Barbara.
I am forever building walls between me and the Lord, and I’m always catching myself and tearing them down. It’s a work in progress!
You express that so well, Priscilla, I’m the same way. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone! Peace and blessings.
I still like the feeling of control! 🙂 It is always an adjustment when you can’t control your health or something you used to feel you had control over. Knowing He is good and on the throne brings rest. I’m thankful He is always with me and promises to never leave or forsake us.
I’m grateful for His promises, too, Debbie. We can depend on our Father’s faithfulness and trustworthiness even when humans fail us. Thank you for reminding us of our Father’s assurance of protection, love, and mercy. May God bless you and your ministry of service to Him.
God sent His Son so no barrier would separate us from Him. Sadly, I, too, have put up walls from time to time. He’s been patient to reveal them and help me demolish them. I praise Him for His persistence and patience. Thanks for a great message, Katherine.
We are so blessed, aren’t we, Annie? Like you, I’m grateful for God’s patience. He’s rescued me from sin and despair and continues to shape me into what I need to be to serve Him. Thank you for sharing these precious insights.
Love the visual the Lord gave you. And true, no barriers unless we make them. Amen to that!
Thank you, Mary. I love the way God sends his message of love and faithfulness in our daily lives. We are blessed!
I’m so thankful God tears down those walls when we give Him control.
Me, too, Diana! Submission is hard, but the reward of God’s protection, love, mercy, and forgiveness is beyond measure. Peace and blessings.
Isn’t it interesting how we give God full access to some facets of our life, but block Him from others. If we can trust him with certain areas, we should know we can trust him with all of them.
Hope you rest was refreshing and restorative.
You’ve shared an important point, Candyce. It is strange that we only pick certain areas to trust Him and hang on to our own independent stubbornness in other ways. I’m guilty. Thank you for your thought-provoking addition to our discussion. Wishing you joy and blessings.
We sure do build those walls sometimes! thanks for the verses that remind me that God broke down the original wall I built between Him and me and continues to demolish the walls I still sometimes put up.
I still put up walls that need demolition, too, Kathy. Thanks for reminding us that our Father is always ready and willing to do that for us–when we seek His help. Peace and blessings.
It’s amazing how something so simple can teach us so much about faith. Wonderful message Katherine and I hope your time away with family was filled with blessings.
I think we get so many messages from God in everyday events. But I’ve noticed that I don’t always receive these messages unless I slow down and pay attention. Thank you for your good wishes, Yvonne. We had a wonderful time on our week away from the fast lane.
It seems putting up walls is part of the human condition. For me, it’s about trying to protect myself when I should be trusting in the Lord’s protection. This is an ongoing work in my life. There are so many triggers that cause me to reflexively raise the walls. I’m trying to listen when Holy Spirit tells me I’ve done it again, and work with him to tear them down.
Thank you for sharing, Terri. I also have some of those same issues of trust and it’s ongoing for me as well. I’m praying we can be stronger in our faith to put our trust in our loving, merciful Father. We can dismantle the walls we’ve built between us and Him. Wishing you peace and blessings.