By CTA—Christ to All
In 1934, Admiral Richard E. Byrd wintered at the South Pole—without another soul in sight. He chronicled his five-month adventure in a book he tellingly titled Alone! We can scarcely imagine what that experience must have involved. While we may find everyday life a little chaotic, few of us would willingly choose months and months of complete solitude.
Most of us crave companionship in day-to-day life and, even more so, in the midst of hardships and challenges. It is not by accident, then, that one of the names Scripture assigns our Savior is Immanuel, “God with us.” What a blessing that we have Jesus’ constant companionship as we live our lives and work to make a difference in his Kingdom; how good it is to experience his presence as we walk through dark days ourselves and as we work to inspire faith in those who don’t yet know Jesus. Our Lord’s companionship comforts us and encourages us to serve with love, even in difficult times.
It’s no secret that bickering, pettiness, and hurts happen. But even then, we get to rejoice in “God with us” in our Savior. Our sins did not take our Father by surprise. He sent his Son for the precise purpose of suffering for those sins. Not satisfied simply to empathize, Jesus died in our place—even for the sins by which we have hurt those around us, even for the sins by which they have hurt us.
Now, risen from death never to die again, Immanuel will never leave us or forsake us. He will always hear and help us, especially when we struggle. We are not alone. Not ever.
Editor’s note: Today’s devotion is slightly adapted from CTA’s interactive journal for volunteers Making a Difference . . . Inspiring Lives.
