Closer Than You Think

As I sit here about to grade a math quiz, I cannot help but notice how Jesus makes himself known to us in such subtle ways.

Today is the anniversary of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on our country.

I married a fireman, so these things have taken on a particular magnitude when I think especially about the “fire families” that lost their loved ones from “just another day at work”. They, of course, didn’t know it would be their last day of work– on earth.

On this math quiz, I notice a question on the quiz that uses the number 343. This actually ends up being a question that I provide a lot of assistance on, since it asks for the cube root of 343. After assisting several students, it occurs to me that God, by no coincidence, has placed this number, and the many, many student questions (time to reteach cube root!) to remind me that he is closer than I think. 343 is the number of fireman lost, and this number was painted on a pole that was left of the World Trade Center rubble where people put pictures and other mementos to grieve the loss of their loved ones.

This cannot be a coincidence.

God doesn’t work like that. God gives signs and wonders that we sing about in the psalms.

Psalm 135:9 “He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt”.

The apostles and many disciples needed signs to see Jesus. John 4:48 Jesus said to him,

“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”.

God knows we need signs, and I think it’s okay to ask for them sometimes, or to openly receive them.

If I look for Him, I will find Him, but sometimes he plops down right there in front of you to say “HEY! I’m here. Trust me.” I pray that God plops something right down in front of you to show that He is closer than you think.

(*Mathematical note: The cube root of 343 is 7. And on the 7th day, God rested.)