Torah processional

Torah processional
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

I love this shot I took yesterday at the Bat Mitzvah of young Ketzia Barron from Toronto, Canada. She and her family make the annual trek to Pennsylvania for the Jews for Jesus East Coast Ingathering. And this year, Ketzia celebrated her Bat Mitzvah. It was significant and she did a wonderful job. Her singing, her chanting, her speech... all excellent. And her parents are very proud. And rightfully.

But what I like about this photo is that no one of her family or her friends or her community is with her. She is alone. OK, so Rabbi Irving Salzman is carrying the Torah. But what is significant is that Ketzia is the only one following Torah. That statement is one which I hope stays with her all the days of her life.

Even if (God forbid) all her friends walk away; even if her parents leave the faith; even if no one else is helping her walk the way of God-- she can walk alone with Him. And she must!

Most of the time this doesn't happen. Most of the time, we do find community and friends and relatives who assist us in our walk with God. Most of the time God gives us grace in 'others' who affirm us and strengthen us. And this is the usual and the plan.

Nevertheless there are days when we feel alone. There are weeks and months when it seems like no one is with us. Even on those days, we are not really alone.

God Himself will be with us. So He said, “For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." (cited in 1st Samuel 12.22)

and again, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” (Hebrews 13.5-6)

Walking with God sometimes feels desperately alone. But you are not alone!