God With Us
I have been partying since December 22nd when I drove to Alto, TX to be with my daughter and family for several days of Christmas celebrations. From there, I headed back home and party-hardy was the theme at the Wuerch’s in Austin. The day after Christmas, we headed to Cabo del Sol where each day provides lots of activities and/or rest – depending on what any of us desires to do at the time.
But soon all this activity here will come to a screeching halt and life will resume as it was before the holidays. From all that activity to walking into my quiet, non-busy apartment home could really be a downer if I dwelt on who and what I didn’t have. I could dwell on being alone or even lonely. My main word of encouragement for those of us who will resume “the usual” is to remind us about “Emmanuel” (God with us).
Many have been going through “stuff”, yet “Emmanuel” (God with us) is our great hope and assurance. We are never alone because God is with us. He cares. He loves. He gives. He holds. He surprises. He embraces. He laughs. He soothes. He rejoices. “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
My daily routine includes spending time with Jesus as I pray, praise, read His Word and take notes on what He’s saying back to me. That is whether I am here, there or anywhere. Maybe I’ll spend a few minutes or many minutes — it doesn’t matter to Him, but it does to me. I need Him like I need breath to breathe. When I breathe Him (His presence) in — He brings me peace. He is with me during my everyday life.
I purpose to live my days remembering that God is with me, so as anyone that would be a passenger in my car, or a guest at my dinner table, I will talk to Him. I will talk to Him about any, and everything. I will thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that I may find.
Because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away. I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU!
I desire to get so caught up in “God with me” in this new year, that I become more desperate for God than I have ever been before. Not because I am in a crisis-or-needy-mode, but because I want more of Him, and less of me.
I desire Emmanuel — God with me — morning, noon and night, and all the in-between time. The bright LIGHT of Christmas isn’t just with us at the season of Christmas. He is with us!
“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8