If Jesus Goes With Me
Commissioner Debi Bell
Retired Officer
USA Western Territory
Scripture: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)
Is There Any Reason You Cannot?
The five words “Is there any reason you cannot...” challenge and change me, no matter what follows in the question. As active officers in The Salvation Army, we often received a call that began, “I am calling to tell you that you
are moving to serve the Lord in (fill in the blank) as (fill in the blank). Do you have any questions?”
When we were asked, “Is there any reason you cannot serve God in another English-speaking country?” Don and I didn’t even have to look at each other before answering, “We have always said we would go where we are sent to serve.” The reply we heard was, “Good. You will be hearing from the Chief of the Staff in a few weeks about where you are going. Please do not share or discuss this with anyone until you have heard from the Chief of the Staff.” Weeks went by and it was pure torture to not be able to talk it over with family and friends.
Starbucks Moment
. One day, while running errands, I decided to stop by Starbucks. The shop was empty, and the barista, clearly bored, struck up a conversation. I blurted out, “I think I am moving to another country with my job, but I cannot tell anyone I know until it is settled. It may or may not happen and it is driving me crazy.”
He asked how long I had known about the mystery move. I told him my husband and I had found out three weeks earlier. My tall, vanilla frap, no whip was ready and our short conversation ended with him telling me that I lived an exciting life and he hoped we would find out soon. A week later, the phone call came, and we received the news that we were going to New Zealand. We already knew a handful of people from New Zealand, and they began to fill us in on essential “need to know” facts about their homeland.
A Whole New World
We Googled grocery prices and were puzzled by foods like kumara and courgette—until we realized they were sweet potatoes and zucchini. The prices looked high until we learned about the exchange rate of the dollar.
My parents worried about the distance. They worried how we would stay in touch. We discovered Skype and Facebook was just getting started so it took a while to convince them to use it, but our communication world expanded and we communicated more often than we had in the past. We sorted our belongings into four categories: the things like electronics and heritage items we could not replace, or were not allowed into New Zealand, the items that would go on the barge, the items that would go with us on the plane, and the items we could give or throw away. All packed up with everything in order we turned in keys to the house, office and car. Good friends took us eat and on to the airport to check in for departure.
As our plane took off, I glanced out the window and saw the American flag, waving goodbye. For a brief moment, I felt homeless and untethered—until I looked at Don and remembered: home is where he is, and home is wherever God places us.
If Jesus Goes With Me
I also remembered my favorite song, “If Jesus Goes with Me,” and the promise I make every time I sing it. Believe me, I sang it in my head and heart on the long flight. The territorial leaders met us after we exited customs in Wellington. They escorted us to where we would be welcomed at a Powhiri, a Maori welcome ceremony. After the ceremony, we had a chance to meet and greet the Cabinet members, local divisional leaders and the Maori welcome group. I do not sleep on planes so I had been awake for more than 24 hours and I looked like I had been awake for 48 hours. The divisional commander asked me if I was jaded. I had not had enough time to be disillusioned or to feel ripped off, so I realized the word must mean something different in New Zealand. I asked him to explain his question. He asked if I felt tired and worn out from the journey. I smiled with relief and answered honestly, “Yes, I am exhausted.” It would not be the last time I asked for a word translation. Although we all spoke English, we quickly learned that words didn’t always mean what we thought they did. I learned to listen well and ask questions.
“The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand” (Psalm 119:130 NLT).
“‘Don’t you understand yet?’ Jesus asked” (Matthew 15:16 NLT).
Sometimes, I wonder if God ever gets tired of reminding me to trust Him, love others and obey. I hear God’s words in verses of song and Scripture that pop into my head. “If Jesus goes with me, I will go anywhere” were words that carried me through many moves to new cultures and unfamiliar places. The words to the song “I’m in His Hands” got me through countless hard times. The Scripture verse “‘And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:20) helps me every day of my life.
So let me encourage you to “trust and obey to be happy in Jesus” because He is with you even at the edges of the earth. That should make you feel “like a box of fluffy ducks” rather than “ready to toss your toys out of the cot and spit the dummy.” (Check with your local Kiwi for the translation.)
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, Help us always to be ready to respond in faith, even when the way before us is unclear. When we yield our lives to You, help us to do it without reservation, totally, completely so that when the moment comes when a decision has to be made, we can immediately obey. Help us not to regard our safety, our possessions, or even our family when You call us to step forward. You know our needs as well as those of the ones we love. Let our "Yes!" to you always be with an exclamation point and never with a question mark. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
India Eastern Territory
Thinking It Through
When we read about the people of the Bible who stepped forward to obey God, often we think they were different from us. But were they? Didn't they face the same questions we do? Didn't they feel fear and doubt? But they obeyed. And so must we, no matter our age, our resources, our limitations.
Notable Quotables
Trust makes you the heir to every promise. Unbelief destroys your claim to any. - Catherine Booth
"If Jesus Goes with Me" is an old song and so we have an old fashioned rendering of it like many of us remember.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: [email protected] or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory