'Tho hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me' Psalm.139:5
While visiting a botanical garden, Anna and I felt surrounded by flowers that held our attention for a long time. Some were usual flowers and some were exotic and unusual such as this white cactus blossoms. This feeling of being present amidst an unusual sight was rather special. Everything around looked blending with each other to give a look of aesthetic glory.
The psalmist uses a similar allegory of being surrounded by God's nearness in different circumstances. I had a mail from a dear friend, to mention how it was to feel surrounded by God's nearness when he had an angioplasty at a most unexpected time, without any symptoms in the past of chest pain or discomfort. He referred to it as 'unbelievable'. Our lives are full of such unexpected events and happenings. It is during such times, when we are almost overtaken by anxiety or fear, this experience of the psalmist comes to us as a comfort and assurance.
An 'enclosure' is made to make a place safe and secure. The enclosure is an announcement that the place is protected and is set apart for a particular purpose.
We are such people protected and set apart for a purpose. This understanding of God who choose to 'reveal His Son in us' is too much to grasp or consider. It transcends logic and explanation because, according to St. Paul, He chose us,'while we were still in our trespasses'. This enlarges our vision of God and brings into our interior a humbling orientation to confess as Mary said, 'Let it be unto me as you have said'.
It is this a five year old boy said, while climbing a tall climbing frame in the park, to a question by a friend,' are you not afraid'! He said turning to his parents, that, 'when my parents are with me, I have none of it'. This is an invitation to trust and let go!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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