This truth changes everything.
You've probably already skimmed the post to read those bold words below, so here they are:
GOD IS WITH US!
There. I've said it. In bold. That's when you know it's important. But it's so important, I will say it again, only this time, I want you to slow down. I want to to think about what these words mean. Sit with God for a moment in stillness and awe of the fact that He is with you right now.
God, God, is with us. Inhale.
The all-powerful, indescribable, eternal God moves in your heart right now. Exhale.
God is with me as I sit on my bed, quiet in the rush of the day. Look around you.
And He is with you. Immanuel. See the invisible.
I went to Passion a few days ago, and if you don't know about Passion, it is a gathering of young adults following Jesus. And in this large gathering (in three locations this year, over 40,000 people came to worship Jesus from around the world), we worship Jesus. Yes, we listen to amazing speakers who unpack the Word and give us much advice and guidance. Yes we get to praise the Lord in song with the top worship leaders and with great new songs. Yes we get to meet new, cool people through community groups and the groups from home. All of these things are so amazing and incredible.
But the real joy of Passion for me was simply being with God. And remembering that God is with me. He is with me both at Passion, in the joy and excitement, and at home, in the mundane and work.
God is with us. His Spirit is in us.
Oh how that changes everything.
"9 You, however are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also gave life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who live in you.
"12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption into sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now, if we are children, then we are also heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in his sufferings in order than we may share in his glory." (Romans 8:12-17)
"12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption into sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now, if we are children, then we are also heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in his sufferings in order than we may share in his glory." (Romans 8:12-17)
God with us means we do not need to fear (Romans 8:15), be it fear of the future, fear of failure, fear of ourselves, or fear of death. His perfect love in us drives out all fear (1 John 4:18). So let us take courage in Immanuel.
God with us means we have a mission, His mission (Romans 8:17). And in this mission, our lives reach their fullness, but that's for another post (Matthew 28:16-20). So let us live out the mission of Immanuel.
God with us means we have the truth and can reject the lies of the world (Romans 8:9). Oh how these lies surround us and tempt us to stand on shaking ground (John 8:31-32). There's one particular lie that I tend to believe that I will share with you soon. So let us stand on the truth of Immanuel
God with us means that we have a hope bigger than anything this world can throw at us (Romans 8:10). And this world knows how to throw some big curveballs. Death. Injury. Shame. Insecurity. Broken hearts. But the God who is in us is greater than the one in this world (1 John 4:4). So let us look unto Immanuel.
God with us means that we are never alone (Romans 8:15-16). Even as we struggle with the stress of school, the disappointment of people, and the doubt in ourselves, we never go through these things alone. Rather the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the grave is alive in us (Romans 8:11)! So let us live with Immanuel.
Yes, God with us changes everything. But we must let it change everything. We must also be with God. We must learn how to sit with Him even while we are walking to class, talking over dinner, or dealing with our prideful hearts. And when I say must, I do not mean to make this another rule to follow. Not at all! Rather, being with God brings the greatest joy of our hearts! It contains our rest, purpose, and hope. It gives us eyes to see through the fog of life and a heart ready to love in this broken world. God came to us so that we get to be with Him.
As Passion, God told me powerfully how His presence is enough and necessary in my life, and I almost felt anxious to come home, a strange feeling because I love Passion. But more than singing songs and taking notes, I wanted to live. I felt this pull at my life, a pull of a life lived with God. And excitement for the possibilities of living with God filled me with joy!
I did come home. And some of that joy and excitement faded away, like I knew that it would. Luckily, God worked in my life using much more than feelings. And I lived. I made mistakes, but God pulled my heart into His mission just a bit more. Little by little, He is showing me what it looks like to live with Him.
I have so much more to tell you, but I do not want to dilute this simple, life-changing truth for all Sons and Daughters of God: God is with you.
God is with you.
Will you live as though that is true?
Princess Hannah
Thanks for sharing this call to change our lives and actually live like we believe God is with us! Very encouraging!
ReplyDeleteYes, this lifestyle is so full of joy and purpose that I can't wait to see how it will change everything! Thank you for the comment!
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