I am not big on ancient languages such as Latin. Nevertheless, a few years ago I saw a nifty plaque for sale online with the words “Vocatus atque non vocatus, deus aderit”. The words were on a plaque over the office door of the Swiss psychotherapist, Carl Jung, to remind those who entered of the presence of the spiritual in the everyday. Translated, it means “Bidden or not bidden, God is present”. I liked it enough that I made my own plaque so I could keep those words nearby in my office. To the non-spiritual, those words should at least suggest that regardless of our circumstances, there is always something bigger in life than our immediate circumstance. If you do not believe in God, after you get beyond your circumstance, it merely means: it is just another day, and yet another circumstance that will happen. Life will move on — as fluidly as the stream of a river. We cannot and should not expect that things will remain the same, and we should expect that life will not always come out as we expect.
Like most people, when I have to take on something that is going to challenge me and which may be difficult, I feel as though I need to take a deep breath and brace myself for the onslaught that is about to come. In Joshua chapter 1, Joshua had to do that sharp inhale and take the plunge. He knew that God would be with him. God used some great words of encouragement which would strengthen any heart. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go…”. In combination, these words are a great encouragement. God is present and has our back, whether we expect it or not. As long as we keep God’s commands, God will be with us. It is so empowering to know that God has our back.
When life hands us lemons, we should acknowledge that God is present and do what is necessary to make the situation as palatable as we can. I recall a time in my own life when I was overcome by combination of an e-coli infection, blood poisoning, infected gall bladder, and renal failure — all at the same time. It was the most sick that I have ever been, and I was close to death. Throughout that process, I never blamed God for what He was ‘putting me through’. He did not cause it. Life’s circumstance caused it. At least I was able to see that God was there, and God was able to make something good come out of it. God helped to teach me to be still, long enough to be aware of His presence. It was the only thing I could do, in the midst of the suffering. I now look at that time with measured fondness — because I had a chance to grow closer to God.
I cannot imagine a universe without God. Imagine your favorite battery operated toy, scooting across the floor. Now, take away the battery. Then take away the toy. Then take away the floor and the room it is in. Its a weird example, but at some point like this, we can easily realize that the elements of life that give us joy are the same elements that are given to us by God. God is present. He makes life possible. He makes circumstance bearable. What assurance.
