Christ Before Me

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This unknown, uncertain place that each of us finds ourselves in is unsettling, unnerving and most of the time feels unreal. As we face an unforeseeable future, we isolate against something that is unseen to the naked eye. We see the destruction, death and despair it has caused, around the world, in our country and in our communities, leaving no one unaffected. We feel and see the fear and unrest that this invisible invasion has created in our neighborhoods, for our family and friends, in our homes and in the beating of our own unsettled hearts.

How do we move forward when all around us there is this invisible threat living among us, holding us captive, taking up residence in our homes and hearts? How do we face another day when there is a microscopic enemy, lurking, waiting to attack, ready to steal our liberty and our very lives? This place we find ourselves in is a foreign and hostile land, where we feel afraid, lost and even abandoned.

Yet we are not lost nor abandoned, we are held and we are never alone. This uncertain time is no surprise to the One who holds each one of us, caring for and comforting the whole of this broken and suffering world.

God is with me,
He goes before me,
He will never leave me.

This I know with certainty and in this truth my heart begins to settle. I rest assured in the unchanging, unwavering love of my Father, Savior and Holy Spirit. Three in One, an unbeatable, unbreakable force, my ever present help in times of trouble. He surrounds me on all sides.

As we move into a Holy Week like no other one that we have experienced before, may we hold with hope the truth that Christ went before us. Jesus willingly suffered, died on the cross and rose on the third day so that the power of death would forever be broken. By grace alone we are not forgotten, we are never alone. We are set free, forgiven and redeemed.

With arms opened wide, He invites us in, welcoming us to follow Him. He has gone before us and He has made a way—ushering us into an abundant, eternal life in and with Him.

The words of Saint Patrick back in the 5th Century continue to ring true. This prayer has become a mantra for my days, my battle cry, a new cadence to keep time with. Quieting and calming my all too often fearful and weary heart. I hope and pray that these words will do the same for your heart.
May you go with God.

Prayer of Saint Patrick

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, 
Christ before me, 
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, 
Christ beneath me, 
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, 
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, 
Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.