LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

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Life is very busy right now. I have too many things on my plate, some by choice and others placed there by others. Projects, people, upcoming events, family needs, and the pursuit of personal time have been added to the time demands of full time pastoral ministry. Priorities must be examined or frustration sets in.

As Denise and I sat and talked about the heavy schedule we have right now, and as we made plans for the rest of the week, I realized something – all I really ever want is her presence, and that’s all she ever wants from me. In the midst of all the busyness and demands of life, the most meaningful and most memorable times are spent in her presence.

Just like it should be with our Lord.

When we get up every morning and plan our day, do we spend some time in the presence of the Lord, or do we need something tragic, difficult, or special to happen during the day to look for God’s presence?

When we make our plans to go to church on Sunday, what are we really looking for? Special music? A special guest speaker? A special time of worship? A special attraction within the service like a drama or testimony? Or is the awe of the presence of God sufficient?

In Colossians 1:27 and in 1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul makes a wonderful point about the Body of Christ. Wherever you are, God is present.

Colossians 1:27 To the saints God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Wherever you go, God is present. But He’s not just present, He lives there. He is active and moving and working.  And when two Christians come together for any purpose, God has an eternal investment in that moment.

WOW! That should change our perspective on fellowship and the church. It should change how we feel about meeting people and about going to church. It certainly should change our attitudes of me-ism: those attitudes that demand something special for ourselves for the event to have had any lasting impact or significance. What has happened to our relationship with God when we demand something bigger and better to prove its significance? What happened to the true test of maturity and security in a relationship – presence?

As Denise and I sat and talked, we confirmed one very important point – what we want most out of our relationship is to be together. Take away all of the trips, the projects, the pursuits, and even the people, but do not take away your presence from me. 

Can we say that about our relationship with God? As people of His church, can we honestly say to Jesus, “Take away all the music, all the preaching, all the ministries, and all the special events, but do not take away Your presence from me?”

REAL church is first and foremost defined by the Presence of Jesus Christ. Let this be true of us in our spiritual lives – there is nothing more special than God’s presence. That alone is what sustains us.

Pastor John