By Andrew Hartzler, associate professor of accounting
This week’s theme: Nothing between us
Our human existence is complex indeed. It is a mix of the mundane and the beautiful, the agony and ecstasy of living. Our lives are filled with the unexplained; the mysteries of life that we ponder, straining our minds to find answers. So where does faith fit into all of this?
For faith to become life changing, we must seek out a tangible connection with our creator God. I believe that the desire to know God is something that stirs deep inside of us. I also believe that this stirring in our soul is the imprint of God woven into our DNA, calling us to seek out that connection.
The theme for this final week of Lent is “Nothing Between Us.” Experiencing the reality of God’s presence with us, the Holy Spirit in and among us, is a result of Christ shattering the barriers between our human existence and the presence of the Living God. This is a powerful truth. However for us to experience the peace that passes all understanding, we must engage in an active pursuit of God’s presence. Becoming aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit amidst the ups and downs, joys and sorrows and chaos around us requires a daily resolution to seek and find God.
One of my favorite writers, Sarah Young, frames some of this daily conversation with the Holy Spirit in her Devotional entitled “Jesus Calling.” The following are some of her thoughts:
I (Christ) reside in the deepest depths of your being, in eternal union with your spirit. You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your need for Me is your greatest strength. Your inadequacy presents you with a constant choice – deep dependence on Me or despair.
Let us not despair, knowing that Christ has overcome the world, and has paved the way for us to encounter the spirit of the Living God. Praise be to God!