In the shadow

I have felt as if I were on the other side of the mountain from God lately.

Visualize this. 

My path, the one I wake up every morning and choose to follow, started at the bottom of a steep, conical hill. Some days it looks like a mountain to me, but let's just call it a hill. 

To proceed forward, the overall direction is upward and around the hill. Sometimes the path leads downward to circumvent blockages. Somedays it's a steep climb, somedays easy-peasy. 

On a hill right next to mine is God, his cloud of glory encompassing the peak. Just resting there, shining out towards me. 

So you understand, on my journey there are times (moments, days, weeks) when the hill stands between me and God. When I can't see Him. I am in the shadow. 

When it is nighttime, you are on the opposite side of the earth from the sun. You can't see the sun. Do you doubt the sun will rise the next day? 

When I don't see God, when it is difficult for me to feel His presence, now I know I will turn the corner. 

But I must keep walking. 

Walking towards Him. 

Or at least what I think is towards Him. 

He says, 'Trust me.'

He says, ' Do not fear.'

Over and over and over again. 

All throughout the Old Testament, and the New.

He knows I will be alone in that darkness. 

He waits for me to turn the corner.

So how do I know He will be there?

How does anyone know?

Well, how do you know the sun will rise again tomorrow?

You remember, it has been steadfast. In your lifetime it has always risen.

You learned how it rises.

You were taught stories about why it rises. 

You talk with others who trust it will rise.

You see markers that it has been rising for thousands of years. 

You can doubt. 

But we all know, the sun will rise. 

I remember, I was taught, I see. 

I hope.