"There Was Jesus"

As I think back over the summer - the time in which God told me to WAIT - I see “there was Jesus” always with me. Yes, even when I didn’t realize it or think about it. He has been here the entire time.

I can’t say it any better than these words from the song “There Was Jesus” sung by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton:

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing, in the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been or where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it

Or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

Have you tried it yet? To take a look back over the summer or since the coronavirus captured us with severe restrictions? Do you know how that feels when you take a look back? Different emotions and perceptions, What do you see now that you couldn't see during?

That sweet moment of marriage of our younger son, Chris, and his best friend, Elisabeth, in June; the tenderness of having family-only, including his dog, Bear; the mother-son dance where he twirled me around; the words of the pastor spoken over them as God blessed their marriage. There was Jesus!

Then there was the message of waiting which God spoke to me in July. Waiting on Him and His direction and timing on several issues. I have prayed, waited, listened, and observed. There was Jesus!

Our church went back to in-person worship on Aug. 2, adhering to the required restrictions. What a joy to see those fellow members of Centenary! Even though we could not and still cannot sing, There was Jesus!

Recently there have been times when there have been disappointments and the waiting has become more difficult, and my patience and focus on God have been stretched. Still There was Jesus!

God has brought someone to me to say a word or text a message that was right on time! He sent a friend to help me see the wrongly-timed email I was about to send. There have been the lonely times when I wondered where everyone went (or so the enemy wanted me to think!), and I talked with God about it. He knew what I needed, and the next day, one of Mom’s friends called me to check on me at the perfect time. There was Jesus!

Recently Mike and I traveled to Delaware for Elisabeth’s (new daughter-in-law!) 4-time-rescheduled Bridal Shower, and I realized on Friday night at 9pm that I had not brought the clothes to wear to the shower! Go ahead and laugh in disbelief because I sure did! What a sinking feeling that was, but I texted Elisabeth to tell her and apologize. You know what she texted back? She said not to worry. She would pick out several dresses for me to try on since we wear about the same size, and while she was getting her make-up done the next morning, I could try them and find one to wear. Thankfully we are very close in height! So on Saturday morning, I tried on dresses and sure enough, there was one I could wear! Saved by my DIL!!! And There was Jesus!

During each of these examples, someone could say that I was “lucky” for these things to happen to heal me, help me in the waiting, and bless me. Definitions of “luck” state that it is a “force which brings good fortune or adversity; good fortune or advantage considered as the result of chance; some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend”. First of all, it uses the word “may” so there is no guarantee of this good fortune or adversity. Second, it is a result of “chance”. And thirdly, it can be an “object” on which good fortune depends.

Do you want to depend on a force named "luck"? Do you want to depend on what others are thinking and telling you? Do you want to depend on what you are not sure is the truth? Or do you want to believe and depend on the One True God?

Isaiah 8:11-14 The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,  “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.  Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe. (NLT)

My friends, I do not believe in “luck”. I want to believe in something that is sure; that is solid; that is true; that is constant; about which there is NO DOUBT! And There was Jesus! He is the one who is sure; who is solid; who is true; and who is constant. He is not an object. He is the Son of God who paid the ransom for our very lives.

Jesus has been here for me every minute of every hour. Has He been there for you? This summer has been a time of waiting and learning what God wants me to learn, and somehow I don't believe I am finished with waiting! It seems as if He is teaching me more and more as each season comes. I share it with you in hopes that it will have meaning for you as well and for others who read this and share. Most of the words of the song are included here. It is a beautiful song and worth listening to!!

There Was Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wV6D49iEY

Every time I try to make it on my own

Every time I try to stand, I start to fall

And all those lonely roads that I have traveled on

There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground

When the friends I had were nowhere to be found

I couldn't see it then but I can see it now

There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing, in the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been or where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it

Or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm-hmm)

For forgiveness and a price I couldn't pay (mm-hmm, mm-hmm)

I'm not perfect so I thank God every day

There was Jesus

There was Jesus

In the waiting, in the searching

In the healing, in the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute, every moment

Where I've been or where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it

Or couldn't see it

There was Jesus

On the mountains

In the valleys

There was Jesus

In the shadows

Of the alleys

There was Jesus

In the fire, in the flood

There was Jesus

Always is and always was, oh

No, I never walk alone

Never walk alone

You're always there

There was Jesus

Take a look back at some of your life moments, and let me know if you see Jesus because He was/is there!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel