“Object permanence” is an expression used by psychologists of a child’s ability to understand that objects still exist even if they are no longer visible.
Up to about four months old, babies don’t have the capacity to believe something exists if they can’t see it. If you hide a toy it no longer exists as far as they are concerned. They reach a stage where if you hide a toy, they will keep on looking for it. They realize that objects exist even when you don’t see them.
A sign of Christian maturity is when we continue to believe in God’s love even when we don’t see it or feel it. We remember and recall. As we believe in the sun even when it is not shining, we continue to believe in God’s love even in times of darkness when we don’t feel his love.
Vital to our ability to experience intimacy with God is our willingness to accept the things that may not be consistent with what we believe is best for us. His love is endless, it knows no limits, even if not apparent in the moment.
And that’s the memo.
Steve
