He will meet you where you are

by Emily Freeman

Yesterday I tried reading the scriptures on mute.

In my imagination I stood far away and watched the scene play out.  I didn't listen to the words, I tried to ignore them there…instead, I focused on the actions.

I had a profound learning experience.

It is a story you probably know well, the woman caught in adultery in John 8.

You are familiar with the conversation that took place…perhaps you even have it memorized…let he who is without sin cast the first stone…

But have you ever focused on the Savior's actions in this account?

In verse 1…he sat down, and taught them.
In verse 3…and when they had set her in the midst.
In verse 6…Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground
In verse 7…he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
In verse 8…and again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground
In verse 9…and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
In verse 10…when Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman standing…

All of this up and down…lifted up, stooping down…and her set in the midst.

With mute turned on, there within the watching, an important lesson is learned.

Jesus stooped to her level.  Down.  Her, set in the midst.  Humbled.  It was there that He spoke to her, stooping down to reach her.  It was there that He taught her.

And, through His words and through His teaching He lifted her up. He met her on her level until she could stand on her own again. You know, I believe He does the same for us.

He meets us on our level… Brokenhearted, discouraged, doubting…He meets us there.

In that place. He offers healing, direction, comfort, answers…

And through the process He lifts us up so we can stand on our own again.