Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10

Christmas Eve service has always been my favorite. It never actually feels like Christmas time until we finally get to light our candles and sing Silent Night. Yet, something was different about this past service. It wasn’t Silent Night that moved me this time, it was my Pastor’s sermon.

Sermons typically start with a (somewhat) real-life scenario to set the scene, followed by how it relates to Scripture, and then you bring it home with the message you are trying to convey. So many good sermons are lost to people just waiting to go home. I’m hoping they got the message from this one.

The Pastor’s message was a simple one, but one I can’t stop thinking about: God is here with you. When we think of God, we think of Heaven. We think of this peaceful place we hope to gain entry to at the end of our journey. What his message reminded me of, was that God isn’t just there in Heaven, watching over me. He is here with me. Right now. And that really impacted me.

You mean to say that God is paying special attention to ME? I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel pretty damn special. It’s like a reminder that He hasn’t, and won’t ever give up on you. That no matter what you think, say or do – He’s there for you. You will always have that support.

More importantly: you are not alone.

I think it’s safe to say we all go through periods of loneliness. They seem to creep up on us. But when you consider that message, it almost feels like a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Hell, even if you aren’t lonely it feels like that. Doesn’t it?

That sermon was a big step in the right direction for me. It’s given me an incredible amount of motivation when I consider that He is with me every step of the way during my search for grace. No matter how long it takes me to find it.