She rushes the kids out the door and
rockets the car toward the church…hoping they’ll be on time, and that the kids’
nightly backseat brawl won’t feature broken limbs. She’d never meant for life
to be like this. She had become a single mom of three, working for minimum
wage with bankruptcy looming. This week had been especially tough…a week of
sleepless nights…a week of wondering how they'd make it. She nods to the
greeters as they enter the auditorium and take their seats on the back
row. As the band begins to play, the vocalists to sing, she glances around at
those who are worshiping…she bows her head, silent tears begin to stream. In
the midst of the music, the worship, the weight of worry…she hears a whisper,
“Daughter, I am here.”
He had started this business alone,
built it from the ground up; that’s what made it so tough. He walks in and puts
on a smile, pats the backs of faithful employees, shakes the hands of valued
customers...not letting anyone know that this time next week, his doors will be
closed. He gets a few minutes alone in his office and reaches into the desk
drawer. He lays his hand on his Bible and sighs… “God, where are
You? I can’t do this alone.” And the same voice whispers to him,
“Son, I am here.”
Jesus had sent the disciples away after
the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Afraid, they rowed frantically trying to
get out of storm’s way. Mark 6:48 says, “He saw that they were in serious
trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About 3
o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.” It
doesn’t say that Jesus came right away. He saw their troubles. He
knew they were worried. But he waited until 3 o’clock to come their way; and
would have passed them by, but they cried out, supposing he was a spirit. He
responded, “Don’t be afraid! Take courage! I am here!”
I am here. It was enough to assuage their fear, enough to lift the
burden of worry.
Whatever your situation, hear the voice
of the I AM…
Facing bankruptcy? I am here.
Battling depression? I am here.
Bound by addiction? I am here.
Drowning in loneliness? I am here.
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you.”
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and he saves those
who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who
call on him.”
I don’t know where you’re at today,
but I know He’s there.
by Brandi Burton
