Purveyors of Blessing

In our conference hall at Blairmore, we have a little thermometer on the wall. It helps us decide whether or not to put on the heating on or open some windows. One recent morning, it was slightly cool when we walked in, and I thought I would put the heating on for a little while. But half an hour later, after the worship was over, the temperature had risen just enough to make it comfortable. The presence of twenty-four people in the room, worshipping the Lord, had changed the temperature. This illustrates a powerful truth. Our very presence changes things.

I suppose this is true, not just for Christians, but for everyone. The presence of a particularly happy, or a very sad person, might change the atmosphere in a room. A room feels different when an innocent child walks in, or when a mum and her baby show up. It’s probably even true for something like a cat or a dog. Their presence changes how people feel. And imagine the change it would bring if a snake or a lion entered the room! But nothing has the power to change the spiritual temperature more than the presence of Jesus. When He comes, everything changes. And as Christians, Jesus is inside of us. Mind blowing stuff!

Isn’t it amazing to think that we carry His presence with us? This realisation can give us so much confidence. It means that, whenever we enter a room, Jesus enters that room too. It means that we have the power to bring huge blessing to everyone we meet. Wherever we go, that place will be the better for it when we bring the presence of Jesus. It also means that we don’t have to be afraid when we enter hostile territory or face a powerful person. Because the Bible says, ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

In another passage Paul says it like this: `But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us` (2 Corinthians 4:7). The container which carries this treasure may be humble, but the presence of God Himself is more precious than anything else in this world. What a privilege God has given us, and what amazing possibilities we have to bring blessings! I will freely admit, it is more often that I forget these truths than I remember them. Perhaps it is the same for you. Let’s pray that God will help us to be more and more conscious of what it means that we, as Christians, truly have Christ in us.