“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
I’ve always been a future thinker, always dreaming of the next phase in life. I procrastinate present projects and then miss out on the good times right in front of me. I’d say I always had tomorrow.
But when you experience loss, you realize how precious those moments truly are. When my dad suddenly passed away in the summer of 2024, I reflected on how much I had put on hold. In my spirit, God started showing me how I was not only disobeying Him by running from His voice but also ignoring His blessings and opportunities to serve someone.
Yes, God redeems. But, because of our temporary world, there will only be so many chances. I think we often run from our problems because we feel scared, overwhelmed, and all alone.
When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples probably felt that way too. But after the resurrection, Jesus encouraged them, saying, ‘“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age”‘ (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Jesus was returning to God the Father in Heaven, but He wouldn’t leave them alone. In Acts 1, Jesus promised His Holy Spirit would come to be the personal presence of God in the heart of every believer. In the next chapter, He came in fire and wind on the day of Pentecost, emboldening the disciples to preach and heal, even in the midst of great persecution.
When we hold onto how God’s very presence is always with us, that truth emboldens us to be present with Him, others, and in our own lives. Even with so many present distractions, past failures, and future fears, we don’t have to feel scared, overwhelmed, or alone.
Now, the future I imagine is not some idealistic moment here on Earth but an eternal life in Heaven where I will see my dad again.
May the only thing we await be Jesus’s return. Let’s not miss out on being present with God, enjoying His presence, and being present with others.
Let’s pray:
God, comfort us in the truth that You have been, are, and always will be with us. Amen!