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Written by Lisa Cooke

“I’m here, I’m always here. If you seek Me, you’ll find Me.”

I heard the Lord tell me that this week. While studying on His constant Presence within the life of a child of God, He simply said something I’ve known in my head as long as I can remember, but not always experienced. He is always here, within as well as without. His Presence, though, is not always verified by our earthly, physical senses, as helpful as they are most times. We make a mistake when we try to measure the reality of His truths by our human awareness. This is why faith serves us so well in spiritual matters. He speaks, we trust what He says, and we base our actions on His Word to us.

I’m currently reading a book written in 1895 (I’m turning the pages very carefully) by James Campbell called “The Indwelling Christ.” In it he says “Alas, that His presence, while not denied should so often be unrealized.” Alas indeed.

This is what I have been studying, how to realize His Presence permeating every second of my life. Whether I’m paying attention to Him or not, He is there because He said He’d never leave me. Intellectually I don’t deny His Presence, but my behaviors, my attitudes, the words that come out of my mouth would indicate I am not always conscious of His Presence. I’d like to think I would act otherwise if I were conscious of His Presence.

It’s like there’s a room in my life called “His Presence” that I think I can walk in and out of at will. When I’m feeling a need to be close to Him, I can “turn my eyes upon Jesus” and I’m with Him. When I’m so mad at a fellow member of the Body of Christ that I find myself thinking of ways to bring retribution for their offense, I walk out of the room and shut the door behind me, like that will keep God from seeing me sin.

There is no God-Room with a door. The truth is that He is “above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:6)

The whole reason Jesus died is for the permanent restoration of full fellowship between the Creator and His created. God abiding in us, us abiding in God; this is the union that withstands our ignorance of it. It is a mystery, the two becoming one, (Eph 5:32) that keeps us leaning into a desire for increasing understanding of the immeasurable gift that has been given to us. We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

I know I don’t fully comprehend that the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me, but when I meditate on just that thought, I’m changed. My behaviors change. I start submitting to His will in that moment, including things like “love your enemies.” It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, bringing everything He is with Him.

Grant us this revelation, Father. It changes everything. And I so want to be changed...

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