Experiencing God's Presence #206

Experiencing God's Presence #206

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Romans 12:4-5

We often experience God’s Presence in privacy with Him—those moments of solitude when we’re able to pull away from other people and focus on Him alone. But there are sides of Him we can’t experience unless we encounter them through others. He shows His compassion through one and His joy through someone else; His patience in the ministry of one fellow believer and His zeal in the face of another. In the same way we need others to experience all the spiritual gifts, so we need others to see each face of God. He never fully expresses Himself through one person, other than Jesus. He spreads Himself abroad so we’ll have to encounter Him in fellowship.

The reason for this is clear: God wants us together, not in isolation. If there are aspects of His character we can only get from someone else, we are compelled to seek unity and remain in fellowship. The body functions as a coordinated body. We get a clear picture of His unconditional love when a human being loves us unconditionally, or a glimpse of His power when an average person is supernaturally empowered. Our desire for Him keeps us seeking the treasures in each other.

Even though the body of Christ doesn’t always live up to that ideal, learn the importance of fellowship. You’ll never be able to fully experience God in isolation. Recognize that you and other believers are carriers of His Presence. In coming together, you offer each other a taste of His character and personality. Understanding that truth will make fellowship a sacred experience and will unveil God’s Presence in surprising ways.

Lord, I love our private times, but I know You show Yourself through others—that there are some things I can’t get from You unless I get them through other people. Let me see Your Presence in each believer I meet, and help me be a careful and intentional bearer of Your Presence for others.