With Him

June 9

Sometimes there is great joy in the journey. That wonderful vacation spent abroad traversing the grand sites of Europe will be remembered for a lifetime. The visit to the American West to see its wonders—the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park—is imbedded in the memory forever.

But some journeys are without pleasant associations. The trip home to the funeral of a loved one is reflected upon with bittersweet thoughts of joys shared together in a happier time. Setting off for war was a time fraught with anxiety that paled only in comparison to the dangers encountered upon arrival at the front.

We yearn for lives that can be spent in peace and safety but the Word admonishes that when we cry for peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come (I Thessalonians 5:3). We know times of joy can expire in a moment and that our security hinges upon many unknowable factors.

Acts 14:22 tells us, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the Kingdom of God,” but knowing this truth does little to make the passage less dreaded. Only one thing can change the unknown, can transform the worst, into moments of peace—knowing we go through them all with Jesus.