Scenes from the Passion of Christ: Christ on the Cross (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. John 10:10 (TEV)

 ¹¹  Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹²  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ¹⁴  Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. Philippians 4:11-14 (NLT)

Live in the presence of God and you will have supernatural life.  (1)

If historians centuries in the future judge our culture based on FB entries, I wonder how they will judge us?   Will they see us as a content and happy lot, or will they find us a bunch of unsatisfied whiners who complain about everything from our government to our church to our shopping experiences to of course our freeway speeds?

Would we take a different life, if we thought the option was better?

The odd thing is, our life could be better, more abundant, more incredible.

If we only took the time to realize what is given to us in our baptism, in the Lord’s supper,

If we could only realize that we actually live in the presence of God, it is His promise, and it changes everything.
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That’s how Paul could be content in everything even in jail,  That’s how martyrs can find joy, as the 2nd martyr, Stephen did. (the first martyr, in my thinking was Christ – who testified to the Father’s love with His death)  That’s how St. Francis could find joy working with people with leprosy, or Bonhoeffer could write such incredible works while training men and doing time in jail.   Indeed that’s how Jesus could endure the shame of the cross – looking to the joy that walking with us would be.

I will admit – it is a challenge – to leave our burdens to God, to simply walk in His presence.

But oh!  When we do… when we realize He desires to carry our burdens, as we walk with Him through this life.

It is a different life, it is a better life… this walking with Jesus.

(1)  Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). The Way (Kindle Locations 738-739). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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