The One Who Is Always with Us
by Philip Asselin
Just recently we had to have our cat, who had been with us for fourteen years, put down. It was quite a shock as he had only been taken to the vet to have some teeth removed. Coming home afterwards, my wife and I were quite upset, and since then there have been many things that have reminded us of him.
I realise that this is nothing compared to the losses that those of you who are reading this may have experienced or are experiencing.
But when someone (or something) we love has gone, there is a natural sense of grief and loss. They are no longer with us. Their presence is no longer there. So many simple things remind us of this fact. But we know we have to get on with life and remember the good times we had.
As I was pondering this, I was reminded that the disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and after His death there was a period of three days when they deeply mourned His passing. They struggled to accept He was no longer around, and they couldn’t hear His voice or see His smile.
Then He rose from the dead, and they were reunited with him for forty days. After this glorious period, they watched Him ascend into heaven and He really was gone this time.
However, before He left them, He gave them many precious promises and Matthew 28:20 is one of them. He reminded His disciples that He would always be with them.
In Hebrews we are reminded that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. `God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ` (Hebrews 13:5b, NLT).
Unlike the loss of a beloved person or creature, the presence of Jesus is always with us 24/7/365. He encourages us to talk to Him, to stay in fellowship with Him, to share our concerns, frustrations, and sense of loss with Him, and to open ourselves up to His love.
I am so thankful that, although my wife and I have lost a cat we dearly loved, we have a Saviour who is always there and just a prayer away.
Philip Asselin Philip is on the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor. He and his wife Gillian attended the second Healing Retreat at Glyndley Manor in 1992, and were greatly helped. They have two grown up children, one grandson, and a step-granddaughter in California, and a daughter and granddaughter in Eastbourne. His desire is to see people healed and set free to serve God.
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