Wherever you go

One of the repeated themes in Scripture is the promise that God is with us wherever we go. In Exodus, God is present with the Israelites as they leave Egypt and wander in the wilderness, appearing as a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. After the death of Moses, God commissions Joshua as the new leader, commanding him and the people to "Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). In Psalm 139, we hear that there is no place we can flee from God's presence. God is with us in heaven and in the depths of Sheol, in the night and the day, and even at the farthest limits of the sea. 

The theme of God's presence continues in the New Testament. At the beginning of the Gospel of John, we hear that "the Word became flesh and lived among us" (John 1:14a).  At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the great commission, concluding with "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). In Revelation we hear the hope-filled promise that "the home of God is among mortals." 

Over the past year and a half, we've been reminded even more fully that God is with us beyond the walls of our sanctuary. In worship online and over the phone, in our homes, in grocery stores and lonely hospital rooms and everywhere else we've been, God has been there. Whatever challenges or joys we encounter, we are never alone. 

"Flat Jesus" traveled with me to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit in 2015.

As things start opening up more and more and you embark on summer travels, one fun way to be reminded that God is with us wherever we go is to bring along "Flat Jesus". Flat Jesus finds its origins in the story Flat Stanley, written by Jeff Brown. In that book, a boy named Stanley is flattened by a falling bulletin board, and then finds that he can go on all kinds of adventures in his flattened state, sliding under doors and even through the mail. In many elementary schools, students make their own "Flat Stanley", taking photos and keeping a journal about the places he goes.  

Click here to download your own Flat Jesus, then print on cardstock, color, (and laminate if you're feeling fancy!). Snap a picture with Flat Jesus wherever you go - whether on vacation or closer to home. I'd love to see where God journeys with you this summer!

Bonus resources: 

• One of my favorite things about road trips is listening to podcasts in the car! Here are a few recommendations for podcasts about faith from ELCA pastors:
• All Places Together, a new podcast from my friend Pastor Colleen Montgomery, which explores some of the special ways and places God is with us.
• Cafeteria Christian, which reminds people that even when it comes to Christianity and faith, you can take what you like and leave the rest.
• Nerds at Church, which connects the scripture readings we hear at church with themes from various areas of nerdery.
• The Confessional with Nadia Bolz-Weber, which invites guests to share stories about times they were at their worst. Pastor Nadia calls it "a carwash for people's shame and secrets."