God Dwells Among Us

God made us for himself as his images in the Garden-temple in Eden (Gen 1–2). God’s presence gives life and purpose in Eden, so we should not wonder that “our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him.”

Often the demands of ministering to people expose our inadequacies, and we become depressed since their needs exceed our resources. However, these excessive demands remind us that we are only icons. We are not the answer! We are created as icons through which the glories of God’s presence shine. Jesus Christ is the perfect image and icon of God (Co

When the protection of God’s word is removed, the temptations of this world grow far stronger.

So often moral compromise undermines the mission that God has entrusted to us. Blatant moral failure by way of sexual immorality or financial indiscretion can disqualify people for ministry and discredit the God we serve. More subtle moral failures of pride, sloth, lust or greed can sap our power and effectiveness in ministry. Our holy calling and

Icons do not point to themselves, but icons usher in a far greater reality. Similarly, we represent God so that our presence ushers in the presence of the Almighty God wherever we go.

Like soldiers on the field, Christians must know their commander’s intent. In order to fulfill our commander’s intent in the changing and challenging situations of our lives, we must take time to form a compelling biblical picture of it. The Bible articulates our commander’s intent by painting a picture of our “mission accomplished” in Revelation 2

Jesus glorified God by making disciples who kept God’s word. The mark of these disciples was obedience. Similarly, we glorify God by our mission in making disciples who keep God’s word.

God’s purpose to expand his presence to fill the earth is not based on the adequacy of his servants, but on the promise of God’s presence with those servants. Despite the prevalence of sin, God’s own plan and presence guarantees the expansion of that temple presence to the ends of the earth.

In this way, this abundant imagery reminds us how God’s presence brings life so that our hearts may not corrode with sin, our lives are sustained with strength and our identities might be properly grounded in our preciousness before him.