Every once in a while, I travel internationally for work. I typically travel alone, which can be scary

or exhilarating, depending on how the trip goes. Right now, I’m on a work trip in Paris, France. I

had never been to this country before, and I don’t speak French, except for a few words.

(Bonjour!) 

While I’m on an international flight alone, I often think about the growing distance between me

and my husband, my home, and all the people I know. Gradually, the distance stretches to

thousands of miles. I find comfort in the fact that no matter how far I travel from home, I don’t

put any space between me and God. He goes before me, He is with me, and He is already

present wherever I’m going. 

In Genesis 12, God asks Abraham—who at that point was still going by Abram—to leave his

home. God doesn’t tell him exactly where he’s going. Verse 1 says, The Lord had said to

Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will

show you.” God does go on to say He plans to bless Abram and his family, but He doesn’t give

many details. That means Abram has to trust God. 

We need to trust God, too. Often, we only see the next step, not the whole path. But when we

take the next step, we know for sure He will still be with us. 

Psalm 139:7-10 says, Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your

presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you

are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there

your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 

Where is God asking you to go? It may not be a faraway place. It could be a new job, a new

relationship, a new home, a new mindset, or a new school. New places far from what or who is

familiar can be daunting. 



Remember this: wherever you’re going, God is already there. And while you’re on your way,

He’s right beside you.

By Melisssa Landon Schnell

Melissa is an editor at automation.com, a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, a cyclist, a book lover,

and a grammar enthusiast. She lives in Lexington with her husband Daykin, dog Zoey, and cat Scooter.