IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST

Ronald W. Nikkel



            Do you ever stop to wonder what Jesus would do if He were in your shoes?  I do, but it’s often after I have already done something or said something that may have been inappropriate.  



From time to time I meet individuals who wear cloth bracelets inscribed with the initials “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) as a conscious reminder to behave in a manner that reflects the way of Jesus.  I have no doubt that, for some people, those bracelets can serve as helpful reminders of Christ’s presence.  But for me, the difficulty with such bracelets is the same difficulty I have with using my wristwatch to manage my time: my wristwatch only tells time— it doesn’t provide solutions to my time management problems.  



Brother Lawrence was a monk who consciously tried to practice the presence of Christ.  In every task, every conversation, and every place he found himself, Brother Lawrence cultivated a sense of living in the real presence of God.  The awareness of God’s presence enabled him to do the most menial and humiliating tasks with joy, as a service to the Lord.  He never wrote a book, yet his Christ-like attitude and behaviour had such a deep impact on people that they sought his companionship, counsel, and comfort.  After his death, people whose lives he touched remembered their conversations with him, and excerpts were published in a little book, The Practice of the Presence of Christ, that continues to have a profound influence on people around the world.



During the past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about living in the presence of Christ.  Often, even though I consciously begin my day in His presence, by the time I make my way to the office, look over my schedule for the day, and start taking phone calls or answering correspondence, I’ve lost all consciousness of Christ’s presence.  There is so much to do in so little time that the details and events of each day simply overwhelm my sense of “God-consciousness.”   The day is over before I know it, and then I begin again the next day in prayerful communion with Christ.



I’ve begun praying for the Lord to give me a lively sense of His presence throughout each day.  Recently I read an account of St. Patrick’s life and witness as the great missionary to Ireland.  Like Brother Lawrence he lived in profound awareness of Christ’s presence.  One of St. Patrick’s prayers, known as the “breastplate prayer,” is striking for its invocation and recognition of Christ.  As I meditate on and use his prayer, I’m finding it to be a very meaningful and helpful way of contemplating and nurturing a sense of the presence of Jesus Christ.



Christ within me,

(I am never alone; Your Spirit lives within me.)



Christ behind me,

(No evil can overtake me; You are my protection and defence.)



Christ before me,

(You know what lies ahead of me; in all things You lead and guide me.)

Christ beside me,

(You are ever present, my constant companion on the journey.)



Christ beneath me,

(You are my foundation; my confidence and security is in You.)



Christ above me,

(You are the King above all Kings, my Saviour and Lord in whom I hope.)



Christ in hearts of all that love me,

(You are the friend between us, the bond of peace.)



Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

(Jesus, may I recognize You in those I meet.)



            As I go through each day, I don’t always know exactly what Jesus would do or say, but being conscious of being surrounded on every side by Christ gives shape to who I am and how I speak, think, and live.



© 2003 by Prison Fellowship International

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