Jesus Is Here

The church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

We try to make it a habit to spend a little time reading through Scripture with our kids every week. Our attempts are not perfect, and sometimes in busy seasons they don’t happen as often as we’d like, but over the years, we’ve come back to this goal again and again.

One day as we were reading through the first chapter of Ephesians, I asked my kids what stood out to them. One child commented that they felt grateful God had adopted us, another marveled that Paul wrote about thanksgiving while in prison himself, and the third child was struck by the idea that Jesus “fills all things everywhere with himself.”

We pondered that together as I asked them to imagine Jesus being in every space we find ourselves—school, work, activities, everywhere—and to consider what a comfort it is to know that he not only goes with us but goes before us. I told the kids that maybe this is one reason Paul was grateful, even while in prison. The Holy Spirit was there, encouraging, ministering to, and reminding Paul of what was true, no matter his surroundings. And then I told them, “And Jesus is still doing this today through his Spirit. Still giving peace and joy amid our everyday lives, even in the hard seasons, he fills everything with himself.” My children nodded understanding as we closed our time in prayer.

There is no place on earth that is void of God’s presence, no space too dark for him to occupy. We get to be his body, made complete in Christ, who “fills all things everywhere with himself.” What hope this should give us as we go throughout our days and face both good and challenging times! We are not alone; Jesus is here.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Write down and then share with someone else a time recently when you were grateful God was with you.