Future Self: Teen Zine vol. 5, Chapter 3: present—showing up... just in time
Juliette Alvey
On a regular day, I hear the word “Mom” called out to me from all corners of the house more times than I can count. I do my best to reply, but sometimes it’s just too much or my attention is elsewhere. One of my children, after not receiving a response after the first two “Moms,” has discovered the strategy of saying “Mother” instead, and I hate to admit that it actually works. With everyone in the house wanting my attention or needing my help, I am pulled in all directions and unfortunately cannot give everyone the attention they need.
The Future Self zine series observes, “Humans are attention seekers… we want our people to tune into our lives” (Teen Zine vol. 5, part 2, p. 82). As parents and leaders of children, we see that very clearly. Kids are unapologetic and not subtle in their demand for attention.
Being in new surroundings only increases this need for attention. On our summer trip, we had the privilege of seeing grandparents and uncles and cousins, etc. who we haven’t seen in months or even years. The challenge was trying to catch up with people while also trying to respond to a voice from the other room yelling, “Mom! Where are my goggles?” I want so desperately to give everyone the attention they want and need, but I am only one person, and my attention (not to mention my patience) is limited.
People thought this was the case for Jesus as well. When Lazarus was dying and he didn’t arrive in time to save his friend’s life, all hope was seemingly lost. They thought Jesus’s power was limited by time and by death.
But Jesus showed up right on time.
We may feel like Lazarus’s sisters at times, wondering where Jesus is and thinking he is too late to help us. Or we may feel like kids yelling “Mom” over and over without a response when we cry out to God for help. But in the story of Lazarus, we see that Jesus is not limited by anything. He is present with each one of us and responds in his perfect timing.
On our trip we were in the desert and went stargazing at Joshua Tree National Park. We arrived there a couple of hours before sunset and did a short hike, and as we walked, the sky turned from blue to all sorts of beautiful colors surrounding the huge rock formations. When we arrived back at our car we found a suitable place to sit and look up at the sky. As we waited for the stars to appear, we first spotted the moon, which was a sliver, and a bright star above it that we believed was Venus. Little by little, stars began to appear. At first the stargazing was manageable, and we could point out each star that appeared in the darkening sky. But once complete darkness came, there were too many stars to count. I wondered, “How can a God who created all of this actually pay attention to me?”
The Future Self zine reminds us of God’s unlimited attention: “Jesus tunes in… When we need to feel his presence most, he is there. Even when our minds are on another planet, he is there. Hold on to the reality that when life feels disjointed and you feel alone, Jesus is still present with you” (Teen Zine vol. 5, part 2, p. 84).
Looking up at the stars, my mind was literally thinking about another planet and wondering how God can handle it all. But as I wonder and seek and doubt and get distracted and worry and get impatient and focus too much on myself, etc… Jesus is tuned in. He promises in the book of Matthew, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20).
Jesus shows up. In the darkest night, he is our shining star. We may not see it at times, but he is there shining hope onto our future, and nothing (not even death) can take that away.
