Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139 is one of the best known and loved psalms. It’s a song that expresses the wonder of God’s presence in our lives. It expresses the wonder of being known intimately by God. The psalmist sings “You know me intimately…” “You are always with me. You will never leave me.” “You created me…You have always known me.”
The thoughts I share with you today come from verses 9-10: “Though I settle on the far side of the sea…even there your hand will guide me.”
In 1989 Andrea and I took our first trip together to the “far side of the sea”, traveling from our home in the U.S. to a new home in Japan. We had been married for three years. We had finished seminary and completed our assignment of working together at a church outside of Chicago. We were filled with hope and dreams for what our life in Japan might be. Of course, there was some anxiety as well… but mostly we were excited.
Little did we know….that we would continue to live and work there for almost 30 years. During that time, we had both joyful events (welcoming 4 children into our family, 3 by adoption, 1 biologically), as well as difficult events (losing one of our daughters at the age of 8). We saw God give us many wonderful Japanese friends and ministry opportunities…. We also experienced some deep disappointments – like when we had to close down one of the congregations that we had worked so hard to plant. Sometimes we felt very separated from family back here in the States…and like we were truly living on the far side of the sea.
Yet, in looking back, I can truly say that God was leading us and guiding us throughout that journey.
In 2014 we returned to the U.S. for what we thought would be a 1-year home assignment. But something was changing in our hearts. We felt God was talking to us and we wanted to hear His voice correctly. One year turned into two… and finally at the end of that 2nd year we felt clearly that we were to stay in the U.S. and not return to our ministry in Japan. There were family issues…and aging parents who needed us. This was an incredibly difficult decision. That “far side of the sea” had now become our home. Our children had wanted to return to Tokyo to continue their schooling there among old friends. We both resigned from the mission in August of 2016, not realizing how difficult it would be to find jobs and get re-settled on “this side of the sea”. In fact, it felt like we were once again traveling to “the far side of the sea” from where we had become accustomed to living.
Yet, in looking back, I can truly say that God was leading us and guiding us throughout that journey.
We can hardly believe that 9 years have passed since we left Japan. But truly, no matter what side of the sea we are on…God is with us and guiding us. He has provided us with everything we’ve needed. Meaningful work, new relationships, the chance to live in proximity to our children. I thank God for providing this JCC family to me. You have been a great encouragement to me – as well as a chance to continue serving as a pastor. Through ups and downs…joys and trials, God has been there with us.
In the past two weeks we had a chance to travel across the sea again. Of course, this was just a brief trip and yet… it gave Andrea and me another chance to reflect on this Psalm. Another chance to visit with Japanese friends with whom we’ve shared life and ministry. Another chance to be reminded of God’s faithfulness to us. I encourage you this week to take time to read Psalm 139 in its entirety…and to reflect on how God has been with YOU, even when you’ve been “on the far side of the sea.”
(the above is a summary of the message shared during worship on October 29, 2023. The photo at the top is of “Kagami no Ike” or “Mirror Pond” in Togakushi, Nagano.)
Japanese Congregational Church 