Where I Am 5

Romans 8:35-39

Whenever our children are in serious need there is nothing that will get in our way to be with them. The time our communications got crossed and our son was left standing on our front porch alone, we hurried back from across town determined to overcome any obstacle. It is that way when you love and care for someone. Nothing can get in the way.

In his letter to the church in Rome Paul is reminding the faithful followers, those who have been enduring much suffering, of the love of Christ. What problems does Paul list in verse 35? For whose sake are the faithful facing death? Through whom are we conquerors? What can separate us from the love of Christ?

As we face the sadness of life, those losses and setbacks that can even make us numb with sorrow, we can feel that we are all alone. We can often think that no one cares and no one knows the depth of our own depression. But we need to remember that Jesus Christ is the presence of God, even in our darkest times, to offer the comfort of love.

This passage has always been a profound reading for me. Paul in his masterful way of communicating presents all the possibilities – present, future, height, depth – and states that none of these can come between us and Jesus’ love. And what is the first thing he mentions? Death. Not even death can separate us from Jesus.

As we recall the loved ones we have lost over the past year, as we consider our own personal sorrows, our hardships and our own suffering, we must always remember that there is no power – not even the power of death itself – that can come between us and God. No matter what we are going through, no matter how profound our anguish, God is always present with us to give comfort.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Get as comfortable as you can – a warm blanket, hot cocoa or coffee, slippers, scented candles, whatever it takes – and thank God for giving you more comfort than all of these.