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One of my favorite cartoonists is Gary Larson. His “Far Side” renderings offer smiles to those whose wit is already out there somewhere. For instance, consider the sketch in which an entire fold of sheep is milling around. In the middle of the flock, one sheep stands on his hind legs with his front limbs raised. He asserts: “Wait! Wait! Listen to me! … We don’t have to be just sheep!” Sometimes Larson’s drawings are so out there, I don’t get them at all. In fact, that’s part of what amuses me.

Perhaps as 2008 begins you’re sensing that you are out there on the far side somewhere. Maybe you feel like you’re far from God’s presence, or from his ways or even his provision. But distance is not a problem for the Almighty. Paul proclaimed to the thinkers in the Athenian Areopagus: “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).

God seems concerned when our hearts are distanced from him. Isaiah 29:13 records, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” He, however, is not daunted by circumstances that make us feel separation.

The Scriptures are full of testimonies about proximity to the Holy One. Paul proclaimed: “You who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Asaph declared, “But as for me, it is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28). And David announced this truth: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10).

Think about these biblical accounts. In Exodus 3:1 we are told that Moses “led the flock to the far side of the desert.” It was the burning bush time, a holy moment, a major “aha” in the life of this one-time prince of Egypt turned into a stuttering, excuse-making shepherd for flocks he didn’t even own. Moses was on the far side of the Midian desert, but just when he felt the least effective—a man with no purpose—God showed up. A bush burned but was not consumed. A man was given a destiny. Passion ignited and through Moses we learned that God wants us near.

In 1 Samuel 24:3 we find ourselves awed by the ways of God. It all happened “far back in the cave.” This reader is amazed that David lived up to the strong statement made of him in the New Testament. He was “a man after (God’s) own heart” (Acts 13:22). You see, King Saul had insanely pursued David with evil intent. This king was not a man after God’s own heart. David had every reason to do him in. Anyone would have understood. But, with wisdom and reverence for God’s anointed, David acted with divine DNA. He was compassionate, slow to anger, and full of lovingkindness. He did not repay evil for evil. David could have killed Saul as he relieved himself. But he didn’t. He merely cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

The last example is my favorite. It comes from the account of the feeding of the 5,000. In John 6:1 the scene unfolds “on the far side of the Sea of Galilee.” 5,000 men needed food. No sustenance was available. Two disciples offered solutions. Philip’s answer was to earn their way. He spoke of “wages” but soon admitted that they would be insufficient. “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite,” he said (John 6:7). Andrew offered another answer. Borrow the resources. But he, too, conceded that his answer was inadequate. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9).

Jesus offered his own solution. His provision was complete as he suggested a touch from God. The Bible reports: “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted,” (John 6:11). Provision from his hand happened on the “far side.”

Perhaps you feel like you’re far away from God’s presence—in your own personal desert. Or maybe doing things God’s way seems to be “far back in the cave” of your life. Perhaps wisdom and reverence do not define your life at present. Or, could it be that the financial provision you are desperate for now seems to be on the “far side of the sea?”

Take heart, my friend. God sees. God cares. God has the power to touch and change your life. Being on the far side is no problem for him. Begin the New Year with this message: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

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From the Heart The Far Side By Marilyn Anderes

From the Heart
The Far Side
By Marilyn Anderes