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Two people are driving in separate cars and in different parts of the country. They are conversing together on cell phones.  One looks out and says “My goodness, the sky is completely gray today.”  The other replies “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s perfectly clear.”  Which one is right?  Who’s wrong?

We are each on a journey of faith. Where I am today, the view may be quite distinct from that of others at alternate places on the same road. Perhaps more important is the destination to which we’re headed.

Two thousand years ago, a group of people in a town called Corinth pondered similar matters.  The apostle Paul wrote them a letter in which he said “We all are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” How encouraging to know that our lives reveal a measure of God’s character right now, even as we grow into greater and greater reflections of Himself on the way to a shared ultimate goal … His very image.

Some of my deepest experiences have been conversations – on cell phones or otherwise – as I and a few friends make our way along the road of spiritual life.  These very special brothers and sisters accept what I see out my window, as I in turn recognize things may look different where they are.  It’s just great to be along for the ride.

It’s understandable and nearly universal for people to want a direct message from God.  Many feel that such a miracle is beyond reach.  The truth is that He speaks almost audibly to us individually on a regular basis.

In the book of Psalms in the Bible, David says “On your behalf my heart says ‘Seek My face.’”  Could I be experiencing the same thing now and then?  Is that little voice in my heart actually communicating on behalf of God?

At times I’ve wronged a friend or co-worker.  A voice inside told me to apologize.  And these silent promptings cover all facets of life.  I’ve been noiselessly encouraged to make phone calls, mend relationships, or just take the dinner plates to the dishwasher.

David knew, and I’m learning, that God speaks quite perceptibly and personally much of the time.  Instead of straining my ears for what might be coming from “out there”, I’m going to change my focus to the voice “in here.”

Just the other day (October 28, 2011) a former youth pastor at a large church in south Florida was sentenced to 28 years, 10 months in prison for sexual misconduct with a member of the youth group.  He was 28 and she was 14 at the time of the crime.

This man did a terrible thing, deserving of punishment. I make no comment on any part of the case or the sentence.

What I do wish to mention is this statement from the corresponding newspaper article: [The senior pastor] said the church has had no direct contact with [the former youth pastor] since his arrest in November 2009, focusing its attention on helping the victim.

Certainly the victim and her family have needed, and will continue to need much help and care from their church community.  But in a congregation of nearly 7,000, couldn’t someone be designated to support the young man involved?  The absence of this seems tragic.

Jesus was called the friend of sinners.  It was a title spit out in contempt by religious people who viewed involvement with reprobates as guilt by association, a soft stance on the law, and bad politics … perhaps similar to thoughts going through the minds of the leaders in the church mentioned above.

I’ve been a victim of sinful acts a few times, and I’ve known some who’ve been the injured party as well.  Thank God and His people for being there at those moments of need.  The instances in which I’ve been a sinner, however, outnumber any other situation a million to one. Fortunately a few humans, and one God who took the form of man, remain my friend.

People complain that God is often vague about what He does.  Perhaps He’s like that intentionally.  Maybe there’s a bigger picture in His mind.

God is supremely interested in having a relationship with each human, individually.  If all His dealings with us were cookie-cutter and predictable, the interactions would be static and dry.

To one, He grants that good fortune and allows this trial.  To another person, it’s the opposite.  Both say “Why, God?” and seek Him for answers.  Exactly what He wanted.  And even when the requests are filled with emotion of all types, that’s OK with God.  Nothing is off limits … that’s just the kind of friend He is.

Many scripture passages point to this truth.  We read that “His ways are higher than our ways,” and “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.”  We’re also told that we will find God when we seek Him with all our hearts.  Personally, I may never get there in this lifetime, but it’s a great promise nonetheless.

It would be wonderful to have God figured out, to know exactly why He does everything He does.  He’s chosen not to allow that, however, opting instead for a fluid one-on-One dialogue, which He prefers.  And to accomplish that, He’s sometimes vague on purpose.

One of the great promises in the Bible is the apostle Paul’s declaration that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  This verse has made its way to countless songs, sermons and devotionals.  It is indeed a very comforting thought.

Looking closely at that part of scripture reveals something interesting.  The writer specifically lists some things that God’s love overcomes, including affliction, anguish, persecution, famine, nakedness, and danger of death.  He then says “I am persuaded…” that none of these (and other things) have the power to separate us from God’s love.

To say “I am persuaded” means that the realization wasn’t there from the beginning.  Somehow this truth became concrete to Paul through a process.  And any Bible student knows exactly what that was in the apostle’s life.  The book of Acts tells us that Paul faced the very challenges he listed: affliction, anguish, persecution, and the like.

God’s inseparable love for me is a fact.  But sometimes I have to be convinced.  His method for accomplishing that is to put me in a situation and love me through it.  It’s not always sweet, but it gets the job done.  Eventually, I’m persuaded.