matthew 18.20

“For where two or three

come together in my name,

there I am with them.”

-- Matthew 18.20

In just the past couple days, I've seen this verse come so alive.

: In the jam sessions in my room filled with singing and worshiping, or

: In the conversations I've had in the afternoons on the lounge couch or late at night on cement steps or on morning runs to Kerry Park, or

: In the floor bonding walking and talking downtown Seattle soaking in all the people watching -- all of these instances I have discovered the perfect presence of God.

I've recently been reminded how important it is to have people to be challenged by in a way that in listening to their struggles, that you not only have an opportunity to pray for them in what their dealing with, but also test your own faith by giving them advice or encouraging them from a different perspective.

[That might've well been a very nicely constructed run-on sentence.]

I'm excited to continue these relationships and deepen them even more, especially over the next couple months. It's encouraging to be immersed in the Word to start off the day, and then see that become more applicable to your life. I just started reading Romans as a part of my morning routine. By God's grace, it was a part of a conversation I had earlier today and it became alive in my life, which is a cool way that the Lord speaks to us. The scripture, indeed, is relevant and profound and applicable to our lives every step of the way whether we acknowledge it or not.

I'm thankful for the friendships that challenge me and test my faith.

I'm thankful for the unfathomable love of Christ.

Amen.