Alone in the woods! Darkness enveloped me, in spite of the camp fire. Escalating fear gripped my heart as unfamiliar noises rose from unseen places. As a young boy participating in an initiation rite at a YMCA camp, I was petrified. My assignment – to stay awake all night, tend a campfire, read the Bible and pray.
Then the unimaginable happened. I heard noises of an approaching animal or person coming through the trees. My camp counselor and initiation mentor appeared. He had been only a short distance away all that time. He encouraged me, shared with me several pointers on keeping the fire going and left saying, "I must leave you but I will be no further away then your call." Suddenly, I was not alone. The night's darkness was still present and my initiation assignments were unchanged but I was changed – confidence renewed and fear removed!
Moses in a conversation with God had a similar experience. Chronicled in the book of Exodus are the challenges, fears and obstacles Moses faced leading God's people out of Egypt. Discouragement, anger and fear were frequent companions. But a conversation with God changed Moses. God tells Moses, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) God then confirmed that His Presence would be the distinguishing feature for the children of Israel. (Exodus 33:16)
Available to us is the Presence of the Eternal God. We can live in the reassurance that Presence brings. Are you like me, forgetting that God is near? Join me in acknowledging the Presence of God and confidently living in that knowledge.
Oh, by the way, God tells us that we also have the opportunity to be and share His Presence with others. What joy!
Sharing the journey with you,
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