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A Greater Awareness

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
1 John 1:1

Cultivating a greater awareness of God’s presence brings three great benefits: 1) Companionship. At some point we all realize that human companionship is limited; even the best of friends cannot always ‘be there’ for us. They move, fade away, or die. Sometimes they do not understand. Sometimes they are not faithful. If you try to meet all your companionship needs through others, no matter how wonderful they are, you are in for a life of frustration. But, ‘‘there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother’ (Proverbs 18:24). And since He has been ‘‘tempted in every way, just as we are’’ (see Hebrews 4:15), He understands us completely. John says this friend who can ‘be heard, seen and touched, (paraphrase)’ always listens, always communicates, always expresses affection, is patient with us, forgives us whenever we wrong Him, and stays committed even though we ignore Him for long periods of time. 2) Confidence. Your journey will not be free of storms. Nobody’s is: But an awareness of God’s presence will enable you to face those storms, confident that life cannot throw anything at you that you will not be able to handle in God’s strength. 3) Compassion. The more time you spend with Christ, the more like Him you become. Look what happened to John. As a young disciple he wanted to destroy a town because some of its residents did not want Jesus to stay there (See Luke 9:54). But after a lifetime in God’s presence he wrote: ‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’ (1John 4:8).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in you I find all that I need. Help me grow in my relationship with you so I can reflect you in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen