The other day as I was driving to a benefit concert for Labor of Love Ministries in Morgantown, WV, I was beginning to question why I even going there. First, let me say that I truly appreciate LOL and the work they do to help women in crisis. My feelings had absolutely nothing to do with them or the cause for which they endeavor to meet every single day.

I am not a bad driver and I don’t necessarily mind traffic, but probably like you, I try to avoid any rush hour traffic if at all possible. So here I was driving into a college town during rush hour. How foolish could I be??? I am not overly familiar with this city but I can get to certain places with no problem. This was not one of those places. To top it all off, the concert was being held at a new facility so it wasnt on my map on my phone. My GPS would tell me where I was but it didnt know where I was going. Gee, sounds like there could be a sermon in there…hmmmmm. So here I am…rush hour, college town, a vague idea of the vicinity, and running late for when I said I would be there. Ugh!!!!

As I was sitting in traffic waiting for the car in front of me to move a foot or two, I began to ask myself why I was doing this. I love concerts so that wasnt it. I am so thankful for Labor of Love so that wasnt it either. I just seemed to be getting more and more frustrated with the traffic and my ability to move through it. I know there was more though.

Sitting there, I challenged myself not to let this minor thing ruin a good evening. I was determined to enjoy my time at this concert not matter what. I began to pray and ask God to not just to remove my frustration but begin to show me the root of the frustration. Then I began to see the truth. It wasnt so much about the traffic. I had tried to call several friends to help with directions and no one answered. I even stopped an asked a guy at a convenience store for help. I realized my anxiety was because I felt I was on this “journey” all by myself. I had to figured it out on my own.

Then the voice of God came through so clear…..”I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” Hearing these words brought comfort to me. They also caused me to connect with some guys a long time ago. Jesus was about ready to leave this earth. His physical presence was no longer needed. He even said that He would send someone like Himself to be with them. However, these words had impact. He said that HE would never leave them. Those words still ring clear today. He will not…..let me repeat that…WILL NOT leave you.

I remember something that happened when I was very young. I was in a store just a few blocks away from home, but it was in a busy section of the city. There were lots of people and cars moving around. I was about 6 or 7 years olds and as I was shopping with my mom and brother, I looked around and noticed that I didnt see them. Here I was, a little boy who couldnt find his mother. Being the independant young man that I was, I looked around and when I couldnt find them, I figured, hey, my dad is just a few blocks away. I’ll just go home. Sure enough I did. I knew how to get through the busy downtown intersections and traffic. I carefully made my way until there I was standing in my living room looking at my dad and his puzzled look on his face. When I told him what happened we immediately went back to the store to find mom so she would stop worrying.

You see friends, Jesus sent Holy Spirit to be with us but He really didnt leave. He lives within us. We can never be lost or lonely as long as we know where home…and ultimately Dad is. Home wouldnt be home if He wasnt there. Jesus said that He is going to prepare a place for us so that where He is, we can also be. I’m planning on that trip someday. I hope you are too. And by the way, there arent traffic jams there. If you feel alone, then take the time today to evaluate your family life.

Also, take a moment to check out Labor of Love Ministries link.

God puts the lonely into homes…..
Psalm 68:6