A Story of Hope.

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“Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Luke 2:4 New International Version

God does not stay put.  He never has.  He created the universe, placed Adam and Eve in the garden and traveled there daily to meet with them.  When they sinned and hid, God still traveled to them.  To where they were, physically and spiritually.  He sought them out in their guilt and shame.  God’s journey to us is our Hope.

I am Mary, but I speak for Joseph as well.  Traveling on Caesar’s orders.  Traveling with God—I with God in my belly; Joseph with God on his mind and mingled with fear.   Trusting.  That’s the way it is with a journey—one is not always certain what will happen.  We Hope.  We trust.  We go on.

When the people of Israel traveled in the desert on a 40-year journey, God did not stay put.  God went on the trip with them.  A pillar of cloud by day; one of fire by night.  God insists on being where his people are. God’s journey to us is our Hope.

I traveled on a donkey and on foot.  A donkey is short, and not equipped with shock absorbers.  One feels every footfall.  Jarring, exhausting was my journey.  Lord, I know what I proclaimed that day.  “Let it happen to me as you have said.  But I didn’t know this journey was part of the deal.  When will it end?  Still, I Hope in you.”

When his people were exiled, God traveled there to be with them to give them Hope.  The cloud of God’s presence journeyed east.  If you are lonely, in a desert of heart, mind or soul, I speak the truth to you today.  It is a holy truth; it is God’s absolute promise.  He journeys to be with you where you are, he comes to the holy space you inhabit.  Behold the Divine Traveler who stands at the door of your heart.  God’s journey to us is our Hope.

Text and Picture, copyright Don Schatz