In this sermon, Greg introduces the spiritual discipline of practicing the presence of God. This is simply the habit of living with an awareness of God’s nearness to us on a moment by moment basis. It is founded upon the invitation to abide in Christ, as he abides in us. 
Spiritual disciplines are designed to increase our capacity to receive God’s love, life, and fullness. As we receive God’s love, we are able to give it back to God, to others and to creation. During this sermon, Greg focuses on one discipline that will help us grow in God’s love. This discipline is called practicing the presence of God.
This discipline has been written about in a few books including Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, The Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank Laubach, and Present Perfect by Greg Boyd.
In the focus scripture, we read about the command to abide in Christ, which means that we are called to take up residence and make our home in Jesus. To abide is the opposite of paying a visit. Jesus takes up residence in us and wants us to take up residence in him. Jesus doesn’t want us to visit him on Sundays and merely do a check in when we need him. He wants us to check in with him and to remain aware of the reality of his presence.
We visit when we merely bring God or Christ to mind. We move in when we commit to always having Christ on our mind. This is practicing the presence. It is a continual awareness that, in God, you live and move and have your being.
Throughout the Bible, dwelling in God’s presence is understood to be life’s greatest reward. In Psalm 27:4 we read: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” At that time, it was believed that Yahweh lived in his temple, though the people were aware that God is also everywhere. The assumption is that if we are in the presence of God and gaze upon his beauty, we don’t need anything else. Dwelling in God’s presence is the ultimate goal of human flourishing.
The same point is made in Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” God created us to fellowship with us, to invite us into the triune dance of other-oriented love.
Practicing the presence is the essence of all discipleship. The only thing that is real is this present moment. The past is memory, and the future is anticipation. All we have is now. The only real life you have to surrender to Christ is the life you’re living at this present moment. The life we pledged to God when we committed ourselves to him is the life we live moment-by-moment. We must remember the difference between the pledge to surrender our life to Christ and the actual life we pledged to surrender.
Practicing the presence is about having God as our imaginative dialogue partner. When we practice the presence of God, we are including God in our inner thoughts and feelings. This discipline simply opens us up to be in communication with him.
Some tips for practicing the presence include the following:
- Use of mantras or a truthful phrase that you can repeat that will focus your attention on God’s presence. This will snap your mind into the reality of God with you.
- Give thanks. The practice of gratitude can shift your attitude so that you can see God in your daily life.
- Set reminders.
- Practice the presence with others.
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