With Us

 

In all the paths that wind and twist around in life and in the times the path is more straight and smooth, I want to know I'm not alone. 

Alone.

Alone is a word that can strike fear.  It can strike terror, panic, anxiety in our hearts if that's what we focus on.

Fear is very present in various forms for we humans as we journey and walk through life.  We fear the unknown.  We fear being left alone in a relationship.  We fear losing a child, a loved one. We fear we won't be enough or we'll be too much. We fear rejection.

It has been said that Fear Not appears 365 times in the Bible.  And with a number of those Fear Nots, Jesus, God our Father, promises to be WITH US.

Ahh. With Us.  Not alone.

Sorrows shared are divided, and joys that are shared are multiplied.

This Christmas season, I'm reminded again of IMMANUEL.  Immanuel is one of my favourite names for Jesus.  It's the name that brings comfort and one to anchor all my fears in.  Grounding the anxiety, panic, and unknowns in the capability of our Saviour who left the glories of heaven to be WITH US.

To show us a way back to Him.  To invite us to a way that is often so not like we think it should be. But one that is so life-giving and freeing. One of redemption. He gives a peace which passes understanding.  He forgave those who hurt Him and asks us to offer the same grace to each other.  He calls us to trust Him and that He has our good in mind.  He came to give His life so I may have everlasting life.

Isaiah 41:10 is one of the verses that speak the words, Do not fear anything, for I AM WITH YOU; do not be afraid for I AM your God.

It continues to say, Do not fear, I will help you.  And He even takes our hand or holds us in His hands.

Isaiah 43:2 tells us when we pass through the waters He will be WITH US.

Isaish 43:5 again says, Do not fear for I am with you.

Alone and yet not. Alone, can be the silence in which Jesus whispers life to our hearts. Alone is when we can hear His heartbeat if we're willing to bring our fears to Him and release them. Alone.

Jesus often went to the mountain alone. Alone to talk with His Father. Alone to hear His Father's words. I really would love to have a window into their conversation. What did Jesus say? Did He have any fears? Heartaches? Disappointments? Did He need to refocus on His mission and purpose?

Even the night He was taken, He went a stone's throw away from His disciples and was alone in agony with His Father. There we know He wrestled with what was laid in front of Him, wrestling to submit to His Father's plan. 

This season, let us let the with-ness of Jesus penetrate our heart and draw us to come. Come into His Presence with our fears, pain, our joys and thrills to worship and adore Him, the One who left all, to give all, so we could have all.

He left glorious perfection to be WITH US so we could be WITH HIM. And my heart rejoices.