Among Us

I recently heard a story of a celebrity singer songwriter who loves to take his family camping so he bought an old airstream camper that really looked bad and dressed down and took his family camping among regular folks. I’m pretty confident with the success of this guy that he could pretty well purchase any campground, but he wants to give his family a normal experience and be among regular people. I’ve often thought of the incredible price some people pay for their fame and fortune. They can’t simply go shopping without being noticed and pestered by people or the photographers for the super market tabloids. They simply can’t live a normal life among regular people.

The Lord gives Moses some specific instructions how to ordain Aaron and his sons as the high priests. They are to consecrate themselves and the tent of meeting so that the people can draw near to the Living God. This was the instructions so that The Lord would live among the people. Check this out…

42 ‘For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.

44 ‘So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. (Exodus 29:42-46 NIV)

The Lord God is bigger than any celebrity or powerful position holding person on this planet and He wants to dwell in me and around me. I don’t want to live a “normal” life if it means He doesn’t dwell inside me. I want His Presence to be in me, and all around me. With His Presence in me – I’m never alone. One of my favorite songs right now is “Holy Spirit” by ‪Francesca Battistelli – He is welcome inside me and all around me. I want His Presence to fill the atmosphere. I’m thankful that Jesus made a way for the Lord not to dwell in a building made with hands, but inside my heart and the hearts of those who seek Him. He is among us. He is inside us.

As I write this, I’m beside a lake with the calm, serene presence and I can so feel His Presence in the quietness of the morning. I can also feel Him in the loudness of life. I can also feel His Presence in the chaos of change. He is forever inside me because of Jesus. His Presence doesn’t make me full of pride – it’s humbling that God wants to dwell inside me. I’m humbled that He is among people like me. I’m not famous or among famous people here on earth, but “The Famous One” is here with me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne