No matter where we are

I was talking to a friend the other day, who mentioned how lonely and out of place she felt in her first year of college.  The parallel to me was unmistakable.  I’m not in my first year of college, but I still often feel lonely and out of place.  Whether is was while I was in Korea, living for a year in a country whose language I did not speak, or struggling through a tough year of graduate studies, I’ve battled many overwhelming experiences. 

But Isaiah 43 gave me such a peace.  It says, “Fear not, for…I have summoned you by name.  You are mine…you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you…do not be afraid, for I am with you…I will bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!,’ and to the south, ‘do not hold them back.’  Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”

What a wonderful promise.  Not only does God make it abundantly clear how valuable and special we are to Him; He also lets us know in no uncertain terms that He will be with us, no matter where we are.  No matter if we’re in the town we grew up in, or quite literally on the other side of the world, like I was, He will always be there with us.

Isaiah 43:1-7

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”