If Jesus was called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us”, and if he promised never to leave us or forsake us, then Christ is with us now.
If Christ is the one in whom we all live, and move, and have our being, then we are all surrounded – every moment of every day – with Christ.
If God is love, then we are always enveloped in this love; night and day, awake or asleep, all day, every day.
If God is our peace, our hope, our life, our joy, and our strength, then we are all wrapped in God’s eternal peace, hope, life, joy and strength.
If nothing can ever separate us from the love of God which is available to us all through Christ, then this means we will never – ever – know what it’s like to exist without God’s love. In fact, we will only know what it’s like to experience the love of God in greater measure and deeper intensity.
The arms of our Abba are forever wrapped around His children. Nothing will ever change this.
So, even if you don’t feel this love, it’s all around you. Even if you don’t realize God’s presence, it is an ever-present and constant reality.
Even if you don’t believe in God, this love remains upon you. Even if you don’t accept this love, it is available to you every moment of every day of your life.
God’s presence is inescapable. God’s love is irresistible. Like it or not, you are adored, treasured, valued and dearly loved by your Creator. His arms are open wide. His patience is inexhaustible. He has already made a place for you at the table, and the feast is almost ready to begin.
Take your time. The party won’t start without you. There’s a gift for you, over there in the corner. It’s got your name on it. Your real name. Not the one they call you. A name that only comes alive when it flows from God’s mouth and resonates in your chest.
Son. Daughter. Beloved.
This love is unlike anything you’ve ever known before. It’s more wonderful than your mind can comprehend. This love transcends all human understanding.
But that’s ok, because a love like this doesn’t need to be analyzed and understood. It just needs to be experienced. It needs to be tasted like the finest wine, or the sweetest fruit. It’s like a song that stops you in your tracks, brings tears to your eyes, inspires you to sing, to dance, to wrap yourself in the moment and pray that it never ends.
This love is a gift. It’s all yours.
Unwrap the presence.
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Keith Giles was formerly a licensed and ordained minister who walked away from organized church 11 years ago, to start a home fellowship that gave away 100% of the offering to the poor in the community.
Today, He and his wife live in Meridian, Idaho, awaiting their next adventure.
His new book “Jesus Unbound: Liberating the Word of God from the Bible”, is available now on Amazon and features a Foreword by author Brian Zahnd.
He is also the author of the Amazon best-seller, “Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb” with a Foreword by Greg Boyd.
Keith also co-hosts the Heretic Happy Hour Podcast on iTunes and Podbean.
BONUS: Want to unlock exclusive content including blog articles, short stories, music, podcasts, videos and more? Visit my Patreon page.
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