By Pastor Chad
Uber is a very helpful service, especially if you are in a big city. Several years ago, I was in Houston for a conference. I flew in, so I used Uber to get around town. One evening while there, I called for an Uber to take me to dinner. The Uber app told me my car was a white sedan. More information was provided, but I didn’t pay attention to the rest of the details given, like the license plate number, make, and model of the car; I just looked for a white car.
Sure enough, as I was standing on the street corner waiting for my Uber, a white car parked on the other side of the street from me. I ran across the street, and proceeded to get in the back seat, but the door was locked. After several attempts to open the door, I knocked on the car window. The driver rolled down the back door window about three inches, and asked if he could help me. It then dawned on me: this isn’t my Uber.
I’m lucky I wasn’t shot. I approached the car as if I was welcome to enter. Like you, I would never try to enter a random car on the street. Can you imagine how freaked out you would be if a random person entered your car while stopped at a red light? Our car is considered our property. Random people can’t just enter. Car doors are usually locked to prevent such accessibility. Most of us would never dream of approaching a car if we didn’t know the person or were not invited into the vehicle. And few of us would ever allow a stranger to enter our car (or house for that matter) unless we knew who they were or why they were there.
All of us have a limited number of people in our lives that are perpetually accessible, available, and approachable. Even some of our best friends aren’t always able to answer the phone or come over for a visit. What about our access to God? Is He always available? Is He always accessible for the believer? Is He always receptive?
One of the most endearing attributes of God is that He is personal. We can know Him personally. We can fellowship with Him. We can have a relationship with Him. And unlike any other person in our lives, God is always available. He is always accessible. He is always approachable. He actually petitions us to draw close to Him (“come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”–Matt. 11:28). It isn’t as if God owes us an audience any time we want; but because He is gracious, kind, and loving, He makes Himself available to all who would come to Him. We can always talk to Him, or visit with Him.
Yes, God is high and lifted up. Yes, God is completely other. He is transcendent. He is above all. Yet, He cares for the lives of mankind. He is concerned for our well-being. He has a vested interest in our lives. He wants us to come to Him. He desires that we fellowship with Him. After all, that’s why He made us.