A Journey Through

I love hearing people’s stories and hearing where they are at in life. It’s always been the thing I have enjoy most about being able to connect with people. It’s funny to me once someone finds out I am a pastor how they love to share a deeper part of themselves with me and sometimes it’s their struggles in life. I find the biggest thing people want is to have someone who will just listen and not judge them. They aren’t always looking for someone to speak, or give them a 15-minute-long sermon. They just want someone who will sit there and listen.

This morning I was speaking with a student from the college. One I have seen throughout the halls the past few months. Never really saying much until today. He comes to my office and shares with me how some things of his were stolen. He wanted some tips about places people would go to sell things. I can imagine how bummed this guy was. Sadly, I was not able to help him much in this area but we stated talking about how he was an army vet and when he lived on base he would always go to his chaplain for things. As he was leaving to go to class I laughed and said that was funny because I was a pastor.

Not thinking any more about it, he came back after class an hour later and asked “Did you say you were a pastor?” Wondering what I just got myself into I replied honestly. He then invited himself to come into my office and sit down. His facial expressions and manner changed from being bummed about losing his stuff to someone who really needed to talk. I could sense the spirit telling me this guy needs to know he is “not forgotten” I kept hearing this over and over again in my head. While he started to talk he began to tell me about his home life and some struggles he has facing. I won’t go into details however one of those struggles dealt with him feeling like he has been forgotten and alone in the world. I began to talk to him about this and share with him. The conversation went on for a few minutes.

As I started to think back on this conversation I was reminded that no matter where God has you at this time in life in this very moment. Whether you feel alone, frustrated or even feel abandoned you are not forgotten. Sometimes it takes hearing that from someone else besides ourselves. But don’t let the devil embed that lie into your life. You are not alone; you are not forgotten. I am reminded in Hebrews 13:5 he said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” I love how David wrote in Psalm 139 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

-JonDavid