Seeing Him in the Far Country

I occasionally make trips back to my old college town, usually these days for weddings and the like. My favorite part of coming back is always the first time when I get to see my friends in person. I'm not sure that there's quite anything like it in the world. That experience goes deeper than a handshake, a hug, and a hello; in those special moments life becomes transcendent for just a few seconds. Seeing the smiling face of a loved one brings a kind of sweet rest that can't be experienced anywhere else which is only increased by being far away.

God's providence takes us occasionally into the far country of life. Maybe it's difficult circumstances, maybe it's sin, maybe it's depression or anxiety, maybe a job loss, or perhaps loneliness or confusion. However it comes, going into the far country ultimately makes us feel disconnected and distant from God and life. We feel like God is punishing us, or that God has taken His favor from us, or that perhaps something is just wrong with us. In the far country, we feel far away from God's presence and less than human. It is, after all, called the far country because it's far away from happiness, peace, and security.

But to people in darkness, God always sends a great light. In the turmoil of the battle for your soul, you might just catch a glimpse of Him. It won't be exactly what you might expect. Your problems won't be fixed and you won't be immediately healed. Rather, seeing Him in the far country is often like interlocking eyes with an old friend across a crowded room. You're surprised to find him there and you don't know what he's up to, but your only thought is finding a way to get to him as fast as possible. Seeing Him in the far country is all about being reminded that He's still there, still loves you, and still understands you.

Come to think of it, that's why I love being reunited with friends. In that instant, the look in their eyes always conveys a flame of love and joy. It's a reminder and reinforcement that I'm loved and that someone out there understands me. It's a recognition that I'm not distant, but close and connected with someone else. It's a restoration of my humanity.

God's presence in the far country does the same. The joy of finding Him there is the joy and relief of knowing that He's still there. That was, after all, the joy of the prodigal.

In the far country, we are closer to God than ever. We would do well to remember that.