A Window (on Everything) Called "With" #1

A powerful little word – “with” – has become increasingly important in my life. I call it a “window on everything.” It especially gives at least a glimpse of God as he truly is. And that becomes a way of looking at everything, and even a way of living in “the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19).

It makes a difference. What if our Maker is not a solitary “Force,” but Father-with-Son-with-Spirit in a perpetual communing of joyful love? What if he chose not to be distant and silent, but to come close as one named Jesus and called “Immanuel” – “God-with-us”? What if you and I increasingly entrusted more of ourselves into this holy and loving Presence? What if we ourselves grew into being more “present” – genuinely with God, with all his good gifts, and especially with family and friends, neighbors and colleagues, strangers and enemies? Wouldn’t that make a difference?

It’s needed. Did you know that we can be immersed in beauty, goodness, and truth, and yet not be aware and responsive? I can be with certain people, and yet not be with them: in close proximity, yet not listening, not participating. Just ask my wife. Have you been there? Or should I say not been there? Do you ever want to ask someone: “Are you with me?” Is that ever your question for God? Do you ever sense that is his question for you?

Are you with me?

Now and then this year, I want to let you in on some things I’ve been pondering for a long time, some things getting a bit clearer because they’re settling into my living a bit deeper. I hear a call from God into daily living that’s less about what I “should” do “for” this and “against” that, and more about being present in his Presence. I want to explore some biblical and life-feeding realities where “with” makes all the difference:

• God as Communicating Love – “the Word” who as God was “with God” and who “became flesh” (John 1:1, 14) to be “God with us” (Matthew 1:23)… not some deity “out there” somewhere.
• Salvation through Christ as “participation” in him – dying, rising, seated and reigning with him… not just accepting what Christ did for us as our substitute (see Romans 6:3-8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 20:6).
• Belonging to God as a deeply and widely secured “covenant” with him… not just off and on spiritual interactions (Luke 22:14-20; Hebrews 8).
• The Bible as a way into opening ourselves to its truth with the One who is Truth… not just using it for information about him (see John 5:39-40).
• Praying as communing with the Father, Son and Spirit… not just expressing requests to him, much less at him (see Romans 8:26-27, 34).
• Church as a family with its Father, as a body with its Head… not as events we attend, shows we watch, obligations we perform, or institutions we run (see Colossians 2:16-19).
• And then everything – working and playing, serving and leading, managing time and money, dealing with hopes and fears, opportunities and pressures – as consciously with a risen Jesus and with those people he places in our lives – i.e. “in his name”… not just doing good on our own for him and for them (Colossians 3:17).

Such “with-ness” is simple, and yet anything but simplistic. For example, a genuine journey with Jesus means hearing him say baffling things like “it is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7). To live with Christ includes seasons where he seems distant and silent. The light of his presence sometimes gets more obvious as we move through places of great darkness.

Does any of this resonate with you? Stir your curiosity? Bring up some questions or stories you might share with me? At the very least, are you willing to consider (with me) this window called with? You can check out future reflections at this site. If you subscribe HERE, you can get word of new postings (by email, RSS feeds, Facebook, or Twitter). Look too for some other reflections – e.g. good readings and films that have been gifts for me – all with God and with you I pray!

May you know for this day and for this new year: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

Steve Thulson