Parson to Person - God is never far away

Greetings to all of you in the name of Jesus Christ. Can you believe that June is already upon us? Soon, families from all over the country will be taking summer vacations. A few years ago, a dear friend shared with me a situation that happened to her husband and her while they were on vacation. My friend and her husband decided to go on a cruise to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Neither of them had been on a cruise before, nor had they traveled to the island they would visit while on the cruise. Even though they were excited about their journey, they were also a little nervous about traveling so far from home, to visit a place where they had never been. She worried about their safety and well-being while on the trip.

While on the island, they left the cruise ship one afternoon in order to do some exploring. While having dinner in a local restaurant, she noticed a couple sitting at the next table. When the couples? meal arrived at their table, they clasped their hands together, bowed their heads, and gave a prayer of thanks to God. My friend recalled that in that moment, all nervousness about being so far away from home left her. She said that witnessing this Christian couple saying grace reminded her that no matter where in the world they might go, God is never far away from them, and they have no need to worry or be afraid. The same is true for you and me!

I love reading the book of Psalm, and one of my most favorite of them all is Psalm 139, which reminds us that God is ever present in our lives. Verses seven through ten state, ?Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.? What a beautiful testimony to God?s presence in our lives, no matter where in the world we might be.

My friend?s story reminded me that even in a foreign place, God is all around me. Just as my friend saw God in the praying couple, I also see God in others. Furthermore, I pray that I am living my life in such a way that others will see God in me. I choose to allow God?s light to radiate through me so that others, who feel lost or scared or alone, may see God?s light in my life and through it, will be drawn to God?s comfort, warmth, and love. What an amazing, loving God we serve. God loves us so much, and because of God?s great love for us, just as we are told in Acts 17:27, ?God is not far from each one of us.? What a blessing!