Faith | Feeling angst and despair? Think about who’s in your space

We Americans like our elbow room. If someone presses in too close, people in our country may take a step back—or even say, “Excuse me, but you’re in my space.”

That was a problem my family encountered right away when we lived in Japan years ago. The concept of “personal space,” we discovered, wasn’t viewed the same way as in the USA. There are just too many people in too little land.

In response to the over-the-top ridership on commuter trains, Japan provides a staff of people called “passenger arrangement staff.” That’s their official name. I prefer to call them pushers, packers, and stuffers, as in sardines.

Every morning four of our children and I would travel to their school by foot, bus, and a ride on one of the country’s busiest commuter trains. Tens of thousands of people go through Yokohama Eki every day.

On the first trip, I saw that my two youngest children would be crushed in the rush of passengers. My plan was to coach the older two on survival techniques, because they were on their own.

I always made sure we were at the front of the mob for the next train. Then when the doors opened, I ran to the far side of the train with the small ones. Spreading my legs out and bracing my arms wide apart, I tried to form a hollow of protection for them, between my body and the wall of the train.

Believe me, if you have any interest in learning whether someone has brushed their teeth, has a hangover, or wears strong perfume, ride these trains. But don’t expect anyone to honor your personal space.

Jesus doesn’t operate this way. The idea is far denser than the few words I have available here, but it revolves around a fascinating Hebrew word for “rest.” It is Nuakh, meaning “to take up residence.” (Exodus 20:11) And when it speaks of the “rest” that God gives, it means “To settle into a space, fully and completely.”

When Jesus “takes up residence,” coming into your life as Lord and Savior, he doesn’t forcefully invade your personal space. Instead, he settles in and rests by his spirit, providing a safe, secure, and stable place at the very core of who you are.

Today’s news speaks of a global pandemic of angst, dread, fear, panic, unrest, and mayhem. Wherever Jesus isn’t welcome to settle and fully dwell, you find chaos and confusion. Slipping into despair.

Keep in mind that this rest is available by Jesus taking up full residence in your life. When you give Jesus access into your personal space, he goes to work dealing with all the empty, fearful, craving, or angry places in your life.

Then all the dark, negative things that cause unrest have to go. He won’t live with them and doesn’t want you to live with them, because he loves you. So when he moves in, they must move out.

Remember when Jesus invited people who were weary and burdened to come to him so they could find rest? He isn’t asking you to go to anyone or anything but him.

Look to Jesus. Let him fill any places in your soul that might be stressed by fear, uncertainty, or anger. Thank him for who he is and what he’s already given. Tell him what’s weighing on you and ask him for his help.

In this brand new year, think once again about how he came to us. The Bible says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.” (Galatians 4:4). God sent his son to fully take up residence in the lives of people that welcome the Prince of Peace.

Who’s in your space?

This story was originally published January 21, 2022 at 10:02 AM.