Wish you were here

Wish You Were Here: Embracing God's Presence and Finding Purpose

Pastor Jonathan Johnston

You know, thinking back to those lovely summer vacations we used to take with family, I remember sending postcards to our loved ones, telling them how much we wished they were there with us. Well, in the same way, we can long for a deeper connection with God. But the beautiful truth is that it's not just wishful thinking; it's entirely possible to experience His presence in a way that will transform our lives.

The message is inspired by the book of Jude, where the author warns us about the distractions and influences that can pull us away from God. He encourages us to stand firm in our faith, relying on the Holy Spirit and praying in line with God's will.

I've been through times when I felt distant from God, like I was just sending Him postcards instead of having authentic conversations. You see, it's easy to fall into the trap of saying perfunctory prayers or relying on our own strength instead of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

Remember when Paul wrote to the Galatians, expressing that he had been crucified with Christ, and it was no longer him living, but Christ living in him? That's a game-changer! We don't have to rely on ourselves; Christ is within us, guiding and empowering us every step of the way. It's in our surrender that His divine leadership can fully manifest in our lives.

Now, let's talk about prayer. Prayer is an incredibly powerful tool to invite God's presence into our lives. But it's not just something to check off our to-do list. No, it's an ongoing conversation with our loving Father. When we pray in the Holy Spirit, He intercedes for us, aligning our hearts with God's perfect will.

I know it can be daunting to pray boldly, especially if we fear making mistakes or not hearing from God. But here's the truth: God is faithful, always. While His timing may not match ours, He never fails to respond to our sincere prayers. I've experienced this countless times in my life. When we abide in Him, He generously provides everything we need.

So, how do we practically embrace God's presence and find our life's purpose? It starts with immersing ourselves in God's love. Like Paul said in Colossians 3:1-3, we need to set our minds on things above, where Christ is at the right hand of God. When we make Christ the center of our lives, our purpose becomes rooted in Him.

With this deep connection with God, we gain the strength and wisdom to face life's challenges with unwavering faith. Our hearts become compassionate towards those who stumble, and we feel compelled to encourage fellow believers in their faith journey. Moreover, we take seriously our responsibility to share the life-transforming power of the Gospel with those who are lost.

In conclusion, let's not settle for a superficial relationship with God, merely sending Him postcards of our prayers. Instead, let's dive into an intimate communion with our Heavenly Father. In doing so, we will experience His boundless love, find unshakable purpose, and impact the world for His glory.

If you're seeking a community of believers who are passionate about growing in faith together, I want to extend a warm invitation to join us at Harrodsburg.Church. Together, we will journey in God's presence, discovering our purpose, and finding fulfillment in Christ. Don't wait any longer; let's start this transformative journey today.