I Am With You

““Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭

God is with us.

Just think that through.

God.

You know. The One who paints the sunrises and holds the planets in place and holds little babies in utero – from scratch.

God, enjoying the service and adoration of legions of angels, ruling with absolute authority, becoming one of us.

Wanting to spend time with us.

Willing to walk among us and be misunderstood and put Himself out there – to make sure that those of us who recognized Him would be able to access His power, His wisdom.

His presence.

I’ve had a long week.

Today I really, really had to lean in to the promise that this baby who came at Christmas was available to provide the help, the strength, the wisdom, the patience I need to continue putting one foot in front of the other when I’m tired – and short on all those qualities.

Friend, this Immanuel is truly who you and I need during this Covid holiday season – and all year through.

Imagine.

God, saying “I am with you.”

I am with you.

With you when you just can’t see how ends will meet. With you when you have to do the hard thing. With you when your heart hurts and your head aches and your soul needs answers and your spirit just needs healing.

I am with you.

Today. Tomorrow. Moment by moment, when we need it most.

Lean in to this promise with me?

Father, sometimes the magnificence of this promise gets lost on us. We forget that we can apply this truth to the tough days, the challenging moments, the joys and frustrations and complexities of daily life. Remind us that You are present for it all! Amen.