To Be Guarded by You

a view up from the floor of a cathedral to the ceiling, with stained glass windows on all sides

Gracious God, from Exodus we hear you say, "I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared."

You have called us all toward uncertain destinies, to cast our fate into unknown perils, upon paths as yet untrodden. Our comfort is found in this angel you speak of, leading us from the front, luring us onward, guarding us along the way.

To be guarded by you, God, sometimes means our physical bodies will be saved and protected. In the valley of the shadow of death, sometimes we will emerge unharmed and triumphant.

And sometimes to be guarded by you means that you will guard our spirits to be held in wholeness, even when our bodies are broken, even in physical suffering, illness and injury, even in death. Yes, even then, you prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. No one and nothing can keep you from us. Wherever we go, there you are.

We will follow you, O God, and surrender our faith into your steady hands, for you have built the strong shelter of goodness and mercy from which our soul forever emerges and returns.

Blessed be.
Amen.