with – fullness or fragments?

I’ve been thinking this week about the beauty and mystery of Christ Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. First, a couple of Scriptures.

Isaiah 41:10a (NRSV) – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message) – “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’”

“With” – such a small word. A small word that changes everything. “With” can mean “accompanied by” (she walks with me), “possessing” (a bag with a handle), “in relation to” (I hope he reconciles with her), “in opposition to” (they fought with one another), “employed by” (he works with them now), “in the same direction as” (they tend to swim with the current), or “indicating separation from” (I can part with whatever distracts me).

We cannot choose to be without God, in the sense that God is everywhere. There is no place where God is not. But because real love necessitates freedom to choose, God allows us to decide how we are going to be with Him. Will we choose the fullness of all of God’s highest and best for us? Or will we settle for fragments?

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT) – “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”

Today is the day to encourage each other, exhort each other, warn each other. We get to choose how we are with God. He is with us, no question about that. How will we be with Him? Will I accompany Him wherever He leads? And will I let Him accompany me? Will I try to possess Him? Or will I allow Him to fully possess all of me? Will I do all that I can to allow our relationship to grow? And will I remove or step away from anything that hinders our relationship from growing? Will I accept all of Christ, each one who is invited, welcomed, and embraced in the Kingdom of God? Will I fight in opposition to God? Or will I fight alongside God? Will I work together close beside God? Or will I work against Him? Will I allow the Holy Spirit to carry me in whichever direction He chooses? Or will I try to move in my own preferred direction? Will I cling to what I think I need? Or will I let go of the controls of my life in holy indifference, allowing God to be the Lord of my life?

Let us ponder how we are with God today and every day. The choice is ours – fullness or fragments. He is with us, dear brothers and sisters, fully, firmly, faithfully, forever. Let us be with Christ in every moment of our lives. Let us be with Christ in the fullness of His presence as we participate in the Lord’s supper today.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread and said, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (eat)

Again, Jesus took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (drink)