In speaking with people, you quickly find that there is a belief among most that there is a real distinction between the sacred and the secular aspects of their lives. They may attend church, go on a retreat, or spend some small amount of time contemplating things beyond the visible realm, but those times are few and far between and are generally associated with “religious” actions or duties. The rest of the time, indeed the majority of their life, is otherwise spent in the secular realm—the duties of day to day life, especially one’s occupation. It’s quite tragic how we cut our time and activities into sections that exclude Jesus from having much to do with the areas of our lives where we spend the most amount of time.
We think of Jesus as an historical figure rather than a living presence -a friend, in fact- who walks with us through this journey we call life, always waiting for us to invite him to step into our lives, though never forcing himself in. It’s shocking that we can listen to his words with no regard for their meaning— “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world”. We don’t actually expect to hear from him, and in fact our expectations are exactly what most of us get when it comes to things of the spirit—a blank. I wonder, if Jesus meant what he said—that he is with us– how is it that he wouldn’t want to say something to us? If I am with a friend, I certainly am not silent as I might be with a stranger. No, we talk to each other! Imagine a relationship with Jesus where we could hear from him and be heard by him!
That is precisely what he offers us. It is the ability to live in his kingdom while here on earth. Remember the words—thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven? So, regardless of whether we are at church or at the office, in prayer or preparing a meal, we can have a relationship with him where we can actually hear him and be guided by him.
How different would our work be if we thought to bring Jesus into the challenges we face all throughout the day? What would change if we actually approached him with an idea or sought his guidance in our daily activities? What prevents us from doing that? Do we think it is futile? How sad, for us and him, if we think of God as absent and uninterested! We were created to interact with him. From the very beginning when he placed Adam in the garden, we learn that Adam “walked and talked with God.” It is for this purpose that we are created. And it is this conversation with God that brings meaning into all we do. The apostles came to learn this quite well.
Hearing from God is just that—something we learn to do. It doesn’t happen automatically, but it does happen! Think of all the things we learn to do—our whole life is spent learning– yet we neglect to learn about the things of the spirit. We think that we will discover those things on “the other side.” The truth is, eternity is already here! His kingdom is at hand—right now! Jesus came that we might live in his ways here and now, hearing from him and being guided by his very real presence among us. Let me encourage you to begin your conversation with God. You’ll be amazed at how ready he is to speak to you!
