No Separation

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:35, 37

Pause

The pandemic taught us a new term: social distancing. As much as possible, we kept a six-foot space between ourselves and others when shopping, standing in lines, going for walks, and speaking with neighbors. Hugs, handshakes, and high-fives were a no-go. Travel restrictions and border closures separated friends and family for months.

Not being able to visit my kids and grandkids made my heart ache. Facebook posts showed pictures of grandparents visiting their littles through closed windows, but mine lived hours away. I felt sadness, but it didn’t compare to the sorrow others felt when they couldn’t sit at the bedsides of their sick loved ones.

Hardships can separate us from those we love, but they can never separate us from the God who loves us. Rather than distancing himself from us when we need him, he makes himself readily available. He’s our “ever-present help in trouble” whatever that trouble looks like (Psalm 46:1).

Ponder

Complete this sentence: “God’s love surrounds me while I’m in the midst of _______________.”

Pray

Lord, thank you that difficult circumstances can never restrict your presence with me.