“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that love us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37- 39

Recently, on a busy Friday evening, I exited the express way onto a busy thoroughfare. Because of the heavy traffic I was confined to the right lane but needed to get into the lane to my left. Well, the traffic was bumper to bumper and not much kindness abounded. Matter-of-fact there were several cars for whatever reason that seemed determined not to let me merge into the lane to the left. I then realized that they were traveling together. They were intent not to let me in even though my lane was running out. They seem not to want to be separated. However, as we approached the light where my lane ended, one driver was not paying attention and when the light changed, he was too busy watching me and the car in front of him accelerated swiftly after the light turned green, which left an opening for me to move into the lane despite the opposition from that driver. Even though he intended that nothing would separate him from the others, lo and behold, I got in.

The situation reminded me of Paul’s words to the Romans whereby he spoke of the things that might seem likely to separate or wedge in between the believer and the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can wedge in between the love of God and true believers in Christ. No matter how savvy one may think they are, it just will not happen.

However, as we find ourselves journeying during these trying and difficult times, seemingly there is always something that attempts to negatively impact our journey by steering us into the arenas of Twitter Lane, Hashtag Boulevard, or Facebook Avenue and the likes, with heaps of divisive rhetoric that potentially causes a separation from the warmth of Christ’s love and protection. Oftentimes, it’s not intentional on our part but by virtue of our travels and the domains in which life takes us in our daily journeys, such things just wedge its way into our paths and attempts to take abode in our minds with the intent to find its way to our heart. But, take solace in Paul’s affirmation to know that we are more that conquerors through Him that love us and be assured that there is nothing that can separate the believer from the power of Christ’s love. What great affirmation and encouragement as we journey this day and the days ahead.

Rev. Dr. James Taylor is pastor of Jericho Baptist Church in Farmville. His email is: jht3@ verizon.net.