I can’t believe I’m doing this! I thought as I stared at three overstuffed suitcases resting on the old cot.
In mere hours, at age seventeen, I would board an airplane to cross an ocean, so I could do life in a foreign language, another culture, and in an unknown family for the next several months.
I was ecstatic for this opportunity!
I was nervous for the unknown.
I was terrified I would get it wrong!
I was traveling with 51 other American exchange students- all new friends. There was a common bond formed just by participating in this experience together. And yet, I had never felt so alone.
Those months abroad taught me many valuable lessons. One that stands out: God is always there. He is always with me. Even when I’m called to hard things.
Especially when I am called to hard things.
The Lord promises in Judges 6:16, “But I will be with you.”
He assured Gideon with those words when asking Gideon to accomplish what felt impossible. When Gideon wavered, God reminded him that it was God who selected Gideon for this task and it is God who would accompany him.
Maybe you, like me, sometimes need the reassurance that it is God who selected the person for the task. We can take comfort that He indeed plans our life details. (See Jeremiah 29:11)
Maybe you need confirmation that you will not be alone. He promises to never leave us. (See Hebrews 13:5)
Maybe you need the affirmation that God knows about even this. Nothing escapes His notice. He sees everything! See Hebrews 4:13.
He is with you.
Always.
Truly.
It took me crossing the ocean alone to learn He is always there. Venturing outside my family, my language, and my known culture -discovering all new things- to realize His ancient promises can be relied upon. He went with me. He knew the plans He had for me. He knew how He would use those months and the lessons learned, even years later, in my life.
If you are feeling lonely, forgotten, or forsaken today, please remember His promise: “But I will be with you.”
Because He absolutely is with you. He sees you. He knows what you are going through. And, He won’t leave you, ever.
He will ALWAYS be with you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your constant presence and Your constant reassurance You will always be with me. Thank You for always keeping Your promises, In Jesus’ name, Amen.