You know how it’s nearly impossible to wrap your mind around the fact that God is limitless and unconstrained by time? Well, I’m about to give you something along those lines that might be impossible to wrap your mind around… but bear with me.

As many of my readers know, I was at a Christian horse camp the summer of 2017, serving as a camp counselor. The experience challenged me in unexpected ways, but was such an amazing experience. Looking back on it, I wish I had served there more than just that one summer after college. Though it was A LOT of work, I don’t think I would ever take it back.

The week or two leading up to my departure, I was freaking out for many reasons. I had just had surgery, and I couldn’t straighten my arm past a 90 degree angle; I worried irrationally that my dog would get hit by a car while I was gone; I hadn’t ridden horses in a while; I was doubting my abilities when it came to faith; and I was just nervous to be away from home for 10 weeks (missing my mom’s birthday, father’s day, the fourth of July, my birthday, and it would be the last summer I’d spend with my sister before she left for college).

Not only was I questioning my spiritual readiness, but with the pain I had in my arm from surgery, I was really close to calling my boss and telling her I couldn’t do my job because I truly wouldn’t be able to lift a saddle or anything!

With all this running through my head, I can now remember one night where God just sat me down and said, “Stop worrying.” It was Deuteronomy 31:8 that gave me hope. It says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Read that back.

The Lord will personally go ahead of me. AND He will be with me?

What??

Again, it’s one of those moments where He shows His omnipresence. He is both by my side as well as where I am going. I found so much comfort in that statement because I felt like I was climbing an impossible mountain alone. I needed him to both coach me through the hike and set up camp ahead.

As I grew my faith in the weeks before I was supposed to leave, I prayed daily for healing in my arm. Without fail, just days before I was supposed to leave, the nerves in my arm were healed. I had no pain and was able to straighten my arm like normal.

Needless to say, I left and spent the summer serving God as best as I could. He did prepare a way, in the hearts of my campers, the other counselors, and within myself. I grew in faith alongside the campers.

No matter where you are in your faith, you are never alone. God is always mowing a path for you to move more easily through the wilderness.

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—
       who can change his plans? ” -Isaiah 14:27 (NLT)

“You go before me and follow me.
       You place your hand of blessing on my head.” -Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

“The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
       both now and forever.” -Psalm 121:8 (NLT)