Nothing Can Separate

Not five days had passed since we began our journey, and already we had
seen trouble. My brother and I dragged our tired bodies down the road, our
dented swords hanging limply in their scabbards and our stomachs moaning
with hunger. I remembered how Supreme Agape told us that we would have
troubles—many of them—and that the journey would be far from easy. Even so,
this particular hardship made me feel so defeated and inexpressibly weary.
Ren, my brother, placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Nothing can
separate, Jayla.” It was our code of courage, our call to continue the
journey despite everything thrown at us. I must remember. The next day
dawned with clear blue skies, and my heart lifted as we continued on our
way. Ren was his usual jovial self, making jokes and attempting to bolster
my spirits from the troubles we had encountered. I didn’t know then that
late in the day it would be my turn to remind and encourage. There was
severe famine everywhere, and our reserves of food were gone. Large eyes in
the gaunt faces of those we passed haunted us. Ren was already practically
a giant for his age, which I teased him about incessantly. But the lack of
food was wearing on him most of all, and it broke my heart to see him so
weak. So, to cheer him up, I did what he couldn’t do, a wild dance of
absolute ridiculousness, and yelled, “Nothing can separate!” Hungry as Ren
was, he laughed at my antics. He must remember. Weeks later, I clung
tightly to the cliff high on the Great Mountain. Heights were never my
thing, and I honestly felt death would be preferable to continuing upward.
Ren’s arm was injured from a prior sword fight, and he was struggling just
as much as I was. Through labored breaths, I said, “Supreme Agape told us
to cross the mountain, but I don’t know if we’re going to make it, Ren.” I
tried to ignore the clouds swirling around my ankles. Just when we were
about to give in to complete despair, a warm, golden light surrounded us. A
voice—so pure and beautiful it brought tears to my eyes—sang over us:
“Nothing can separate you from my love.” I knew His voice. Supreme Agape.
We remembered. • Savannah Coleman • In Greek, the word “agape” means love
(the New Testament of the Bible was originally written in Greek). Why do
you think Jayla and Ren call God Supreme Agape? (Hint: read 1 John 4:16.) •
Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His followers, “Here on earth you
will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome
the world” (John 16:33). As Christians, we can trust Jesus to be with us
until the day our journey ends—and beyond—because even death cannot
separate us from His love. Just as God raised Jesus from the grave, He will
raise us all on the last day, and those who put their trust in Jesus will
live eternally with Him, free from all suffering and sorrow. How can
remembering God’s unstoppable love for us give us hope in the midst of
hardships? • We were never meant to journey through life alone. Once we’ve
put our trust in Jesus, we are part of His family (the church), and fellow
Christians are our brothers and sisters. Who has God brought alongside you
during this leg of your life journey? How can you encourage each other and
remind one another that nothing can separate us from Jesus’s love? (If no
one comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal trustworthy companions in His
good timing.) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God’s love. Romans 8:38a (NLT)

Read Verses:

John 10:27-John 10:30; Romans 8:35-Romans 8:39