Serial Leaver.

We are leavers. Serial leavers.

We leave jobs and churches. We leave homes and neighborhoods. Sometimes, we even leave children and husbands.

Most of the time, we are blessed with the means to leave. With cars that start or bank accounts that allow a family vacation. We are fortunate to have running shoes to lace up to run out the front door when life gets a little overwhelming.

We leave friends behind. We leave homeless people on the side of the road. We leave someone alone even when we know they need human comfort.

We leave when things feel uncomfortable or when we see the promise of something better somewhere else. When it gets too deep or too painful, we skip out.

Most of all, I think we leave to protect our hearts. Not necessarily right, but it's true.

BUT.

Jesus did not leave us. Instead He came.

His body would be bruised and broken for us, but He came. His heart would be shredded by the heartache in the world and instead of preserving Himself, He preserved us. His human breath would be taken, but even so He arrived.

He arrived, and He did not leave.

Even when He ascended into the Heavens, He did not leave. He would always be with us, He promised. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:26-27. He cares for us, loves us.

He did not leave as we are prone to do.

Jesus arrived. He bled. He died. He remains steadfast and true. Because of His supreme love for each one of us.

God WITH us. He is here. He is still here. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

SO, sometimes, when I'm tempted to run away. To leave. To abandon. To throw in the towel. To hide. To walk away... I am inspired to stay because of the beautiful arrival of Jesus to earth so long ago.

God is WITH me. And He is WITH you.

You are loved,
Lyss :)