Our
failure to have transformational impact on our culture is because we
have become so busy and self-sufficient that we have defrocked God of
His Lordship and power in our lives. We think because God has blessed us
and our nation that we are somehow okay. However, the blessings and
prosperity of God in our lives is not what identifies us as the people
of God. Our religious achievements with all our dedication, work,
talents and technology has not transformed our nation.
What
will transform our churches, families, community and nation is the
transformational presence of God. In Exodus chapter 32 after Israel had
angered God because of their idolatry, God told Moses, I’ll send an
angel with you into the Promised Land. Yet, Moses who has just spent
forty days in God’s presence replies, "If Your Presence does not go with
us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that
Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?
So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are
upon the face of the earth." (Exodus 33:15-16) Are we satisfied simply
with God’s provision and not His presence?
What
identifies us as God’s people is the transformational presence of God
in our lives. It was the cloud and fire of His presence that lead Israel
in the wilderness. It was His presence that caused the enemy to tremble
and brought them into the fullness of His promises. It was the presence
of Jesus in the boat on Galilee that brought peace to the storm and
brought them to their destination. It was the presence of Jesus that
healed the woman with the issue of blood with just a touch of His
garment. It was the presence of Jesus with the two discouraged disciples
on the road to Emmaus that caused their hearts to burn within them and
sent them running back to Jerusalem with the good news.
It
was the transformational presence of Jesus in the lives of Peter and
John that healed the lame man at the gate beautiful. When the
authorities arrested them for their good deed and for preaching about
Jesus, it says in Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter
and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men,
they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
Do
people recognize that you have been with Jesus? Time in the morning and
evening is important, but what is even more important is that we invite
His presence into every area of our lives. It was when Israel became
impatient with Moses on the mountain that they reduced God to a calf.
Oftentimes, in our rush to do things in our way and in our ability, we
reduce God to a powerless calf in our life. A small God does not impose
any threat to our lifestyle but He also has no power to carry us into
the Promised Land.
Begin
to develop a greater awareness of God. Give Him a greater place and
authority in every aspect of your life, and His presence will transform
your world.
