The Lord is Near
I remember an incident that occurred when my oldest nephew was around 6 years old. I had taken him to the grocery store with me and we were in line about to check out when I remembered something else I needed to purchase. I could see the aisle only a few steps away, so I told him to stay put, made a quick dash to grab that item, got back in line only to discover my nephew was nowhere in sight. I began to panic and to pray as I searched for him thinking that my sister was going to disown me for losing her only child. As I walked back and forth checking each aisle, I caught a glimpse of my nephew running and crying on the other end of the aisle. Keeping my eyes on him, I began following along in order to catch up with him. I could see him, but he couldn’t see me. He was terrified because even though he was now under my watchful eye, he didn’t see me and was running and crying as he searched for me. I’m sure he felt lost, scared and alone. Perhaps that’s how many of us feel at times. It can be difficult to sense God’s presence in the chaos and confusion that surround us. What we see and experience in our troubled world often fills us with fear and uncertainty. There are times in life we all feel lost and alone. It can be challenging to believe that God sees, God knows and God cares. All my nephew needed to do that day in the store was stop running and look up. When he did, he realized that I was right there. So is God. Because of God’s great love for us, we never have to experience life without God’s presence. Even when it feels like we’re all alone, the truth is we are never alone. Maybe you need to take a moment to catch your breath. Maybe you need to slow down and stop running around in a panic. Maybe you just need a reminder that you don’t have to be afraid. Take a moment today to look up, to pray and to remember you are not alone. Be encouraged, the Lord is near.