This weekend I spoke to a man who became a Christian and is now remarrying his first wife. I think he said they had been separated for 14 years. God used the grandchildren to get them to interact and now they are getting remarried. She sees the change in him and prayed to receive Christ also. It is a beautiful story of redemption.
It made me think that sometimes it takes us a long time to get to the thing that is right in front of us. Things can be close but not accessible for one reason or another.
Israel wandered 40 years in the desert when there was a land promised to them a short distance away.
Perhaps we see this and focus on bridging the gap but gaps like that are not easily bridged by us. All our effort often makes things worse not better. The goal is in sight but not in reach.
This morning I have been reading Ephesians chapter 2 again and again. In that chapter there are many beautiful principles about the church. God takes two people groups and makes them one.
"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands - remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace" Ephesians 2:11-15 ESV
That little phrase 'he himself is our peace, who has made us both one' is a powerful one.
In earlier verses it is more personal and individual.
"Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:5-6 ESV
It makes me think of this verse.
"For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." Psalm 86:10-11 KJV
The gap that needs to bridged on the outside is real but the one the inside is real also. We need to have our heart united... pulled together... joined in oneness.
The long way around on the outside gives God time to work on the inside. A shortcut might not be in anyone's best interest until the gap between the heart and the head is bridged and faith illuminates our soul.
God is with us here and yet we travel in our minds to go boldly to the Throne of Grace. We travel and the journey is a good journey if it brings us to Jesus. He will unite what needs to be made one. He will bridge the gap in His time.
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