The Present Reality of Jesus...

Well, it has been a long time since I sat down to write a blog. We have settled in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and things are beginning to calm down a bit. This morning I was reading in Matthew and I came across the story of the sheep and the goats in chapter 25:31-46. In that story Jesus speaks of the times when He was hungry and thirsty and a stranger and in need of clothes and He was sick and in prison. The main point of the story is that the sheep cared for him and the goats didn't. Of course neither one knew He was in need because if they had known it was Him, they would have reached out. Usually when I read this story I am challenged to see Jesus in the midst of the needs around me. But when I read it this morning the thought that stood out to me was that when I am in need and I am feeling low and I am struggling and I don't know what to do - Jesus is there with ME in the midst of it all. Now I know that is not a new or profound thought, but it was a great revelation to me because I can so easily get caught up in the thought that for God to be active in my life I must have faith, I must be praying, I must be standing in the Word of God. This story shouts another message to me. That is that when I am not the man of faith and trust and vision and power that God has called me to be - Jesus is there with me in the midst of my life. Jesus is going through the struggles with me and what I really need are the eyes to see Him and the heart to rest in Him. I believe that is what Paul is referring to in II Corinthians 4:8 when he says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed." He could say that because when he was going through those things he did not beat himself up and tell himself he needed more faith - he simply recognized that he was not alone and rested in the reality of Christ in him.

As I continue to press into God for His direction, He continues to press back and show me things in my own life that He wants to refine. I am beginning to see that one of things He is doing is teaching me how to cease striving and rest in His ever present reality. The world is so much into doing, but God is really into being in Him. Therein is the true joy and hope that He has for us. That alone will enable us to go through whatever this world brings our way.

Yes there is a place for faith and standing on God's Word but it is not to get God to do things - it is in response to the truth that God is already with us. May you rest in that reality in a greater way today.

Joyfully Yours,

Dave Hampson