The fingers under the door

I'm all about sound doctrine. I believe that Scripture and experience both tell us that we act on what we believe to be true, so we should be especially careful that what we believe about God is true. Sound doctrine can undergird our lives and prepare us for difficult days.

But sometimes when we are ministering to others going through trials, we try to wrap our doctrine up in overly-simplistic scripture quotes, statements of faith, or even pithy platitudes that are easier to say than hear. We want to feel like we've "done something", contributed something to another's pain. We forget the simple command to "weep with those who weep".

Job is a great reminder that we don't always get the answers we wish we had about our trials. Though we get the privilege of the big picture, Job isn't so blessed; he has to trust God without ever knowing that he was divinely chosen for the trials he faced. Yet he trusts implicitly, even making a great confession of faith in God's future grace (Job 19:25). Job had faith in God's presence and God's promise -- and sometimes, that's all we have to hold on to.

And it's enough.

Anne Lamott relates a relevant story - a young boy, locked in his room, cries with fear. His mom cannot open the door yet longs to comfort him. She calls upon a locksmith, and while they wait she manages to slide her hand under the door so that her son can grasp her fingers. He is calm as they wait together for the rescue to come.

Often, all God calls us to do is to slide our hand under the door, calling on Him to provide the rescue. At times, our presence is all that is required when someone faces a fearful time. At other times, we may be the one shivering behind the door, longing for rescue. For whatever reason, God may respond not like the rescuing locksmith but as the comforting parent -- He may simply slip His hand under the door and ask us to hold on. When we do, He proves that His presence and His promise are always faithful.

Let's practice the ministry of presence this year. Let's learn that silently being there, interceding and waiting, is often enough.

And whatever you are facing today, trust that whatever God reveals of Himself - whether the fingers to grasp or the locksmith to rescue - is sufficient for the need.

His presence, His promise, will never fail.