“Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:3,6
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52.
The new life we receive is our eternal life. But we can check in to our eternal life by being filled with the Spirit. And we can miss out on the life of God in the moment by living like a practical atheist.
God works in the lives of people. When we join him, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. We live our eternal life. We experience God’s peace and we find strength (Psalm 46:1). Our eternal life enables us to do the things Jesus laid out for us in his Sermon on the Mount. That’s where he told us to turn the other cheek and give more than we’re asked (Matthew 5:39-40). Our eternal life enables us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
When I “punch in” at work, I join God as he works in my life and the lives of my coworkers, customers and vendors. I am able to join God any minute of any day. One thought, one prayer and I’m living my eternal life. In my eternal life, I pray for others and I find peace and strength to deal with problem customers or challenging team members. When I pray without ceasing, the worst things that happen to me are another opportunity for me to ask God for direction, watch him work and praise him for what he’s doing. I experience a joy and peace that can’t be explained.
I can get wrapped up in work and miss out. God will do what he will do. He still works. He still executes his plan, but I never see it. I can spend the entire day as a practical atheist and miss spending my day with God. I have a number of friends I enjoy seeing. I wouldn’t want to stand any of them up if we have lunch or coffee scheduled. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance to spend time with them.
God is present and ready for me to join him as he works in the lives of my coworkers, family and friends. Each morning before work, I hope to pray and punch in with God so he will let me watch him and join him as he works so. This way, I can see and appreciate the eternal life I’ve been given.
