Being the living presence of Christ...

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The Lord is gracious and merciful, 
          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 
The Lord is good to all, 
          and his compassion is over all that he has made.
~ Psalm 145:8 - 9

What does it mean to be the living Christ in the world today?

It's something that I have been asking myself lately.  While I recognize we are all made in the image of God, our ability to mirror the actions of Christ can lead to some interesting displays.

At the table we pray that God will bless our food, and we lift others in prayer.  While at church we seek to find ways to be in communion with one another.  We even announce "in Jesus' name" as we close in prayer.  But what does it really mean to emulate the presence of Christ?

Years ago wrist bands and banners asked us "What Would Jesus Do?"  For some it was a reminder that we should stop and ponder a holy response to situations in the world.  While I recognize that Jesus was part human, Jesus was also very much the Divine.  Sometimes I think that our dust tends to pollute the filter of the Divine!  

While the Spirit of God tries to move within and among us, we tend to fill our lives with so many different things that it becomes difficult for the Spirit to move, or to be seen.  The living presence of Christ is within each of us.  In some faith traditions it becomes necessary to announce, or to publicly deny self in order to demonstrate that presence.

The Spirit entered us the moment that God decided to fill us with the God's breath.  But for all of us, at times we just simply experience bad breath!

I don't mean to make light of something that holds a special meaning to many.  Committing ourselves to being that living presence of God means that each day we must attempt to allow that presence to be known.  

It means beginning each day, taking time to invite the living Christ to make an appearance, and allowing the presence of God to live fully within us.

Hoping that today we may each find a way to be the living presence of Christ in the world while remaining in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2017

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Dear Lord, may I be the living presence of Christ in the world today.  I know that already I have filled my mind with things to do, getting ready to go and start a new week, while worrying about a number of things.  Somewhere in all of this, may I turn all of this over to YOU.  May Your presence dwell and abide within me, no matter what may come my way today.  Amen.

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