The ark that the Israelites carried seems to have cleared a path before them, even pushing back the waters of the Jordan River so they could enter the Promised Land. We don't have that ark, and there is no guarantee that it would work in a similar fashion for us. But we definitely do have the presence of God with us, and that is really what the ark is about. We should not be frightened or discouraged by obstacles on the path before us. If it is meant to be, God will open a way before us - not necessarily to make our life easy, but to guide us in the way that God has prepared for us.

It is very easy to get angry or irritated at others when they say or do stupid or thoughtless things. Judgment and condemnation can come to our mind and lips so easily. But stop and think carefully: it is likely that we have done identical or similar things at some time in our life - maybe even that very day! We see and condemn in others what is present in our own self. Human nature is strange - we expect to be forgiven, but we find it so hard to forgive others, even for relatively trivial things. We have all been forgiven so much by God and other people. The more we practice patient and loving forgiveness, the happier and less burdened we will feel. Each time we forgive someone, we help to heal and reconcile the world.