Sometimes we have to do hard things. You know the moments where you would prefer to just run the other way, ignore the issue and go watch your favorite TV show instead. Maybe you have had that moment where you thought, what if I just got in my car and kept driving as far away as possible. I hate to break it to you, but eventually you will hit water! When we set out on our Christian journey, there is no promise that it will be all rainbows, unicorns, and daisies. There will be hard moments. The thing to remember is that you never walk alone. In my life I have done a lot of walking, literal walking, alone. When I was in college I met with a mobility trainer, who taught me how to cross streets while being visually impaired. As each week went on in my mobility training, the intersections grew larger and larger. One thing my mobility trainer continuously said, “Abbie, you can do this. You are fully capable of getting through this intersection. You just need to have the confidence, and know that I am right here.” Funny, I think God whispers the same thing to all of us in our metaphorical intersections. You can do this!
You can make it through the obstacle to the other side. Have confidence! I am right here with you! Remember the story in Daniel of the fiery furnace. I LOVE this story in Scripture. You can read all about it in Daniel chapter three. It is one of my absolute favorites to visualize when I find myself in a situation filled with flames of uncertainty, worry, fear, overwhelm, and hopelessness. The furnace was heated up seven times more than customary. The strongest guards were put in place. The men were bound. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar could not believe his eyes!
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” He replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god. ~Daniel 3:24-25
Walking freely Unbound A fourth with the appearance of God.
I mentioned earlier that I walk a lot alone. Funny thing is though, I am not alone, and neither are you. In fact somedays, when I feel most afraid, most insecure, most vulnerable, I smile because I know that fourth with the appearance of God in the fiery furnace is walking right beside me. Makes me wonder sometimes, if others see my fellow walking companion with me along the road even when I cannot.
Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. ~Daniel 3:28