Face to Face

1 Corinthians 13:12 – For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 We live in the age of social media, which connects individuals from opposite sides of the world via Facebook or a video chat or instagram. In about a hundred years, we’ve gone from Morse Code and a telegraphs to telephones, faxes, emails, and Twitter. I’m astounded that not that long ago, when I was in elementary school, we had a pen pal project, writing letters to kids in other countries as a way to be exposed to different cultures and people. I think my pen pal was from Sweden. We actually wrote several times back and forth. That’s unheard of now.

I like it, though. There are people from high school, college, the various places we’ve lived, even some family members whom I would never have heard from or ‘seen’ again had it not been for these amazing technological miracles.

One of the best things for me to come from social media is a friend I connected with over a shared love for Jesus first and foremost but also the Twilight Saga. We had similar views on the analogy it can pose and the spiritual lessons to be gleaned from its pages. She found my blog on the subject (see sidebar for those entries – starting with How Reading a Vampire Book Brought Me Closer to Jesus), I in turn got to read hers on the same subject, and there you go. We’ve stayed in contact since, going on three years now! Wow!

Here’s the thing – we’ve never met. Not face to face.

When we first made contact, I think I was living in Phoenix. Or I’d just moved to Knoxville. Since then, I’ve moved five times! My point being, I always hoped that the next move would land me a little closer to where my Twi-friend (as I affectionately call her) lives, but to no avail… until now.

It’s still going to take a little driving, but I’m so jazzed to say that this weekend, we’ve made arrangements to ‘meet.’ I’m nervous and excited, but mostly just thankful to God. What a blessing she has been and I anticipate she will continue to be. Getting to hug her neck is just a bonus.

It made me think about Jesus. Sometimes, I feel like people wonder how we, as Christians, can have such a close relationship with someone we’ve never ‘met.’ But isn’t the situation sort of similar to the one with my Twi-friend?

Jesus reached out to me and I accepted the connection. Through His love letters, the Bible, and prayer (a type of social ‘media’ in a way), we’ve built a relationship. And one day, though I do not know the day or hour, I WILL get to meet Him face to face and hug His neck!! How can I be any less excited to get to that day? I should look forward to it with all that I am, and I do. That’s how I can say that I ‘miss’ my best friend and Perfect Lover although I’ve never seen or touched Him.

It’s the hope of the promise that I one day will see and touch Him that sometimes is my only reason to keep going. And that results in joy, no matter the circumstances or conflicts or even pleasures of life.

I am thankful for this tangible experience that mirrors my awaited personal introduction to my Savior. I hope that you know that you can look forward to meeting Him too! Just be sure to ‘friend’ Him now.

By the way, speaking of Twilight, the last installment of Twi-blogs is upcoming, starting in November and leading to the release of the final theatrical episode of the Twilight Saga. I hope you’ll stay tuned.

Have a wonderful weekend, Dry Ground friends.

(photos by photobucket.com)