As I stood in front of the 6.3 million gallon tank of water, looking in amazement at the largest creature I’ve ever seen, I felt a little hand slide perfectly into mine.
Our family loves visiting new places on our way to a vacation destination. If you’ve been around us at all, you know we’re BEACH BUMS. The Farrell side of the family has traveled to Oak Island, North Carolina, for 45+ years. Despite the gray hairs I have, that’s longer than I’ve been alive. Now that Katie and I have three kids, we try to find ways to break up the trip. Last year, we stopped in Raleigh and had a blast at a kids’ museum and a science center. Maybe the highlight is Juicy’s Hot Dog cart!
A few weeks ago, our family embarked on a new vacation destination. Along the way, we stopped in a super tiny city with minimal traffic issues. Atlanta, Georgia. (We’re laughing together.) Atlanta is amazing, by the way! Our stop had one goal – The Georgia Aquarium. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! Outside of the dolphin show, laughing til our stomachs ached at the sea lion show, Atlanta is the only aquarium in the Western Hemisphere to house a whale shark. Behind 6.3 million gallons of water, a shadow would appear, followed by a gasp from spectators. It really would take your breath away to see such a large animal.
As I stood there mesmerized by a whale shark, I felt a small hand that slid right into mine, fitting perfectly. Something I have felt many times. Without looking, I knew exactly which kid this was because I know my children. At that moment life wasn’t about a whale shark. It wasn’t about traveling to and from fun destinations. At that moment, I was right where I belonged, standing with my daughter.
The Gospels start off the New Testament with the birth of Jesus – Emmanuel, God with us. This is a great reminder that what was true then is true today. Not when we finally have life all figured out. Not just on the mountaintops. Always. THIS is Good News.
So often our destinations wind up with us asking the question, “Where am I?” We don’t always end up at aquariums, amazing tasting hot dog carts, or beaches of paradise. If you read about the disciples, their destinations were storms, prisons, mountainsides with just a few loaves of bread and fish. In the midst of the chaos, Jesus was already there working miracles in unexpected places.
What we can realize is that Jesus is already in the place you’re standing. When we stop looking past our current season, we see that Jesus is right here with us. His presence doesn’t need a perfect GPS navigation pin. But if Jesus is there, in your grief, your waiting, your new beginning, your middle-of-nowhere, then my friend, just like a daughter slides her hand into her father’s hand, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
Because the goal was never the destination, it was always His presence. And He’s already arrived.
Jake Farrell