I have learned two things since being in a new season of life. Two things I feel like will quite literally change the trajectory of my life. Two things that I can’t help but ponder why God chose now to unveil my eyes to them; for, they are tools for the path of abundant life. The first I must just get over with for it is the second that is of upmost importance. First, if you have something to say that will grant life and encourage, by all means, say it. Do not stay silent. Okay, that's the first. The second is the cry of my heart - may Jesus write these words upon the tablet of your heart that we may be a people with hearts, eyes, and ears set upon eternity.
Here it is: God’s presence is the promise. That’s it. You may be thinking (probably thinking), “Gosh, I was waiting for a gold nugget and you just throw me what I’ve known forever.” No, no, that’s not what I mean. I mean, His is presence IS the promise. Let me explain.
The Cross of Christ means incredible things for us, you know. But most importantly, the Cross means that the curse that is upon all of earth is no longer on us. The curse has been lifted from us and placed on Jesus at Calvary. This is gold, I hope you hear this. The curse that sits upon this earth, we are free from. Let me explain a couple of the most prominent. The curse of money - of needing more, the best, the newest, the fastest, the coolest - that curse has been lifted for us. We are no longer bound to money. We are free to turn our backs on money. The curse of sex, as the world has tainted it - the pressure, the demand, the consumerism - that curse has been lifted for us. We are no longer bound to approach sex as the world does. We are free to turn our backs on what the world has made of sex. The curse of our self-image - the never ending need to be skinnier, work out harder, eat healthier (and, less) - that curse has been lifted for us. We are no longer bound to consider ourselves "beautiful" by what the world considers beautiful. We are free to turn our backs to the culture that lives as a photoshopped image.
What am I even saying?
I’m saying that His presence is the promise. The curse no longer applies to us. We know the ultimate answer to all of life, because we know that His presence is the promise. If His presence is the promise, than all that the world considers worthy is not the promise. To live is Christ; but if that is the case, to live is NOT the world. Do you understand? The world around us, the people who seek money, power, fame, status - those are the people who are still bound to the curse of this world. They are not free, yet, to turn their back on it. For if they turned their back on the world, where would they be facing? Because of that, they are still searching for an answer that can only be found in His presence. For His presence is the promise. So, they go to the gym because they need to see results or else it's not enough; they work extra hours because they aren’t making as much money as their neighbor, and that's not enough; they get involved in the student ministry and the children’s ministry, because they figure that ought to do it, and, still, that isn't enough. They are missing it all because the curse still applies to them because all they know to be true is what the world holds in value. They have an inability to turn their back on the world because they have no other source of life to turn towards. So, i’ll say it again - His presence is the promise. The curse has been lifted from us. What unbelievable grace! We can turn our back on what this world consider’s life giving, and say, “It is well with my soul,” because we know that life is only found in Christ. His presence. That is the promise. No longer must we live in a rushed, frustrating, and futile search for that one thing which will grant life and satisfies us. That curse has been lifted. His presence is the promise. Not only so, but His presence is good. The ultimate good. His presence is life. The only life.
As a result, let us rest.
I pray that these words are engraved upon our hearts. I pray that they are as sweet to you as they have been so sweet to me in this season. This world has nothing that will satisfy us. Oh, that we would be a people that willfully turn our backs on what this world considers worthy as we sing, "It is well with me," for I am turning from earth, and towards eternity. To live IS christ. To live is His presence. In that case, to live is not this world. If only I were able to plead your cause and to write this upon your heart that you may know the sweetness and the freedom of this truth. But, alas, may God's Spirit do for you only what His spirit can do.
And then, my friend, let us rest and let us walk step by step on the narrow road.
For our battle has been won.
His presence is the promise.
