Only Go With Me

“… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20b NLT

I have to admit. Much as I love my little teddy bear breed pup, she does have issues. Or … perhaps I should say, she has one big issue. Bella is fine as long as I am with her, and she is absolutely Not Fine when I am not. The surest way to get obedience out of Bella is the threat of popping her in her kennel and depositing her in a room by herself. She is instantly quiet. No fate is worse than separation from me. She is found most often wherever I am found. The kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, waiting for me while I shower … yep. If I am there, that is where she wants to be.

I took Bella with me on my latest Selah Day. That way she would not have to endure hours alone sitting at the window waiting for my return. She excitedly jumped in the car, eager to be off on an adventure with me. We go several places quite regularly, and she knows each route by heart. This time, the route was similar to the route to her vet’s office. Because of Covid, her last few appointments had been without me. The vet assistant comes to the car and takes Bella into the clinic. All of a sudden, her joy was gone as she sensed where we might be going. Even after we passed the vet’s, she was uneasy. She was with me, sure. But she was suspicious. Where were we going and would it result in a separation or not? Oh, how I wanted to reassure her that she would love where we were going, and we would go there and back again thoroughly together.

The return journey was far superior in her opinion. She settled down and slept in the front seat, sated and happy after a romp on the beach. She was, after all, with her favorite person and her heart was satisfied as we headed back home.

I began thinking. Do I long to be always with the Lord to the degree my little pup longs to be with me? My word for this year is “Abide.” Each morning I pray a verse during my quiet time, aligning my heart with God’s and declaring my intention and desire to abide with Him that day, all day long. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4 ESV).

As I thought about this today, it occurred to me that I am often frightened on this journey through life. I don’t know exactly where I’m going. During the worst of the pandemic, none of us had any idea what the consequences would be in our own lives and in the lives of our loved ones. And now war has broken out in Ukraine. None of us knows how that faraway war might closely affect and change our everyday lives. But it surely might.

David Livingstone, famous missionary to Africa, wrote these words that I love so much I taped to my office window where I can read them daily.

Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me.
Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.
Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to Thy service and to Thy heart.

Now, that is the passion I want to have for the One who died for me and who has a purpose for me every day He gives me breath. The worst possible thing would be for God to leave me. How very thankful I am that He will not. When my journey is scary and the way unknown, I wonder if He shakes His head at me with a smile like I did with little Bella, fretting in the car and wondering if I’d leave her. God knows where we are going, He and I. And if I would but remember, I’d know He made a promise to His own that still holds: “… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b NLT).

This promise helps me to settle down and enjoy the ride, knowing He is with me no matter what comes, and that in the end … He will take me home to a new and eternal beginning of life with Him! We can count on that if we belong to Him. I can rest in that.

Father, in uncertain times it’s easy to feel lost and scared, as if I’m on a journey with an unknown future ahead of me. Thank You that You will be with me no matter what. I echo David Livingstone today, dear Lord. “Send me anywhere, only go with me.” In Jesus Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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