Other Side of the World

Bible Reading: Exodus 33:12-18; Psalm 139:5-10

Essie couldn’t believe it. “We’re moving WHERE?”

“This is so cool! I’m moving to AFRICA!” her older brother, Erik, shouted.

“I can’t believe this is happening!” her sister, Sadie, cried. “Will I have to wear one of those turbans on my head?”

“Woo hoo!” their five-year-old brother, Davis, yelled as he ran in circles.

“All right, kids, calm down,” Dad said. “We don’t know if we’ll actually be moving yet. But your mom and I feel like the Lord may be leading us to be missionaries in Kenya, and we wanted to tell you now so we can all pray about it as a family.”

Mom nodded in agreement. “If this is where God wants us to go, then we’ll go together.”

“But…Africa?” Sadie whined. “It’s, like, on the other side of the world. I won’t know anyone!”

“Hey, what am I—chopped liver?” Erik asked, crossing his arms.

Essie grinned. “With a cherry on top.”

“Yuck!” Davis said with a silly face, making his family laugh.

Dad cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Who remembers the Bible verse we’ve been memorizing?”

Essie thought she knew. “Moses is talking to God and…says something about God’s presence.” She looked at Erik. “Help me out here.”

“Something about not going somewhere if God wasn’t going with them?” Erik offered.

“Right,” Dad said. “Let’s say it together.”

“Exodus 33:15,” the family chorused. “’then Moses said to Him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”’”

“What do you think that means?” Mom asked.

Calmer now, Sadie suggested, “I think it means we need to pray about this and trust Jesus to help us make the right decision so we know what to do.”

“And remember that no matter what, He’ll always be with us,” Essie added.

“Exactly.” Mom smiled. “I know this will be a big change for all of us if we end up going, but remember that if Jesus sends us, He’ll be going with us. Just like He’s been with us here in South Carolina, He’ll be with us on the other side of the world.” • Kelly Hope

How About You?

Are you facing a big change in your life? Maybe your family will be moving soon or your parents are going through a divorce. Remember that Jesus loves you and cares about what you’re going through. He promises to always be with you, no matter what. He will never leave you. Trust Him to help you through big changes in your life.

Today’s Key Verse:
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is always with you