A Stephen King novel was turned into a movie called “Stand by Me.” It’s about four teenage boys & an adventure. The theme song was written by Ben E. King. A portion of it is as follows –
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand by me.
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble & fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand by me.
Holy scripture is full of faithful friends:
Ruth & Naomi,
the prophets Elijah & Elisha,
Jesus & the disciples, &
Peter, James, & John who witnessed the Transfiguration.
As the voice from the cloud, God’s voice, stated on the Holy mountain, “Listen to him.” They were not to build monuments & stay on the mountain top, they were to be in conversation with Jesus & to get on with mission. And so are we, so are we to engage in conversation, to live in community, & to be on mission.
In conversation, on mission, God is with us. As St. Paul wrote, “Nothing will separate us from the love of God.” God will forever “stand by” us.