THE PRICE OF PRESENCE

 The sparrows perch offers a splendid view of life. The unending drone of life cascades over the temple walls and echoes across the courtyards. It is a low rumble punctuated with the shrill rap of a car horn, blare of a TV set, or concussion of an over powered stereo. The sparrow can't help but notice that the once familiar sound of animals being led to sacrifice has ended. The work of the one called Jesus has changed the business of the temple. The business of life leads men away from the temple and the place of relationship. Each new generation finds a new thing to pull them away from the one true place of peace and safety. Then occasionally, he sees them. At first they amazed him. How could they dare enter into the presence of the most holy God? Yet, in and out of the temple they came, men with limps. He also noticed that they didn't enter the temple that way. When they came into the courtyard, they walked with a swagger, full of confidence. They would press into the presence of God with boldness. They would stand in the place of new found relationship, resting completely upon the grace of Christ Jesus.

The songs they sing are the same every time; “More of You, Less of Me” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer” “Dancing in Fields of Grace” and on and on. Each new generation goes in singing the same songs of new found relationship and freedom.

Then they go in. . . .to the presence.

Everyone that truly goes in, comes out limping. The very thing they desired most, has a price. It will cost you everything.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Isn't salvation free? Didn't Jesus pay it all? From the sparrows perch, it doesn't make sense. What happened to the joyous confident believer who stepped past the torn curtain and laid hold of the mercy seat? Why do they come out so crippled?

Wait. . . . Something is strange about the ones who limp, they are smiling. They look content. They move unevenly, but with a lightened step.

Like Jacob, there comes a moment when every Christian has to move beyond salvation into relationship. Salvation's greatest purpose was to allow us to have relationship. Yes, we can boldly approach the throne of grace. Yes the curtain has been torn and the veil lifted. Yes, there was nothing we could do to earn our salvation. It is only when we desire the presence of God, that we begin to wrestle with the message of God. The one thing I've noticed about men and women of God who live in relationship with him, is that they all have a limp. No, I'm not talking about a physical limp, I'm talking about something God has done to them to keep the relationship real. Relationship has a price.

That's unfair you say?

Talk with God. NO, I mean it literally. I dare you to go into that one place with God and tell him that you want a deeper relationship than just his being your savior. I know a man who told God that he wanted to love as Christ loved. He walks with a limp. Not a physical limp, but a place in the hollow of his spiritual thigh, where God touched him and said; You are blessed. Since that innocent prayer, he has had every despicable thing done to him that a man can have done. He's been betrayed, lied about, gossiped about, abused, used, and taken for granted. Then as if to add insult to injury, he had to watch as his son went through brain surgery for cancer. If that wasn't bad enough, he had his faith questioned, his walk criticized, and his relationship with God challenged. Yet, like Jacob, the limp means nothing. He has relationship with God. The presence of God is real and tangible. When he walks into a room, you know the presence of God lives within his temple. He walks with a pronounced limp, but the love of God exudes from him.

I also know a young woman whose life has inspired me for over twenty years. She was born with diabetes and has lived a life of pain only those with diabetes can understand. Yet, she wanted more of God. She didn't want salvation only. She wrestled with the angel of God and determined in her heart that she would serve Christ through everything. At the risk of her life, she wanted only one thing from God, a child. God gave her a daughter, but it cost her. You see, when we truly want something from God, when we want his presence, he gives us his favor, but all others will see is the limp. I guarantee you, she only sees the child.

Those who press in, those who demand that God bless them, those who won't let go, have a limp. It is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength. The favor of God resides in their lives and the limp is proof of it.

So, like the tiny sparrow in the temple courtyard, when you see someone who's gone through unimaginable circumstances, don't pity them. Don't scorn their limp. They've wrestled with the angel of God and received their blessing.