He Goes Before You

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

The day has arrived, and it's here far sooner than I ever imagined. The boy I once sent off to his first day of kindergarten, wondering if he would be okay, is now headed off to high school. I remember walking him to his new classroom, his younger siblings in tow, excited each day to welcome him back home. Now he's boarding the bus to a new school adventure, ready to take that next step toward adulthood.

Even though that first day of kindergarten and this first day of high school look vastly different, one truth remains the same: the Lord himself goes before my son and is with him. While the halls of a public school may look daunting, I am confident that through every step, God is walking alongside my child.

It's easy to fear change, and the unknown of a new school year can bring anxiety. But God's Word consistently reminds us, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." These words in Deuteronomy were spoken by Moses to Joshua, who would succeed him in leading the people of Israel into the promised land. Joshua was taking on a huge responsibility. Instead of reminding Joshua how great he was or how he could manage this new role on his own, Moses pointed him to the Lord. It's because we know that the Lord himself goes before us that we don't need to be afraid. We can be strong and courageous, not held back by anxiety or discouragement, because we don't face today alone. The Lord is with us.

What are you facing today, dear one? Is there a new calling on your life you're stepping into? Are you, like me, watching a child go off to school and praying over them as they walk through those doors? Maybe today feels all too familiar, and you need that reminder that God hasn't left your side.

As I send my son off to high school, I'm praying that he will know, in every hallway and every new beginning, that the Lord goes before him.

The same is true for you. Whatever door you're walking through, you don't walk through it alone. The Lord is right there with you.