Communion with the Risen Christ in Daily Life

It is often a challenge for us to have a daily, consistent communication with the LORD. It is a challenge not because we don’t want to spend time with God, but simply put “life” gets in the way. We might get consumed by our routines which keeps us busy, stress from work, other distractions of the world, etc., has an invisible hand in why we spend less time in prayer and Bible reading than we want. Thus, in our daily lives, it can be easy to lose sight of the presence of Christ, who died for us and rose again as the first fruit of resurrection. However, should we overcome and keep our appointment with Jesus, we can do doubt experience the most profound communion with the risen Christ. Additionally, this experience would guide us in our “worldly” routines.

Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. Exodus 40:34-38

The above passage recounts how, when the tabernacle was completed the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. During Israel’s return from Egypt, this glory symbolized the LORD’s presence among them. A key truth which is reiterated in the Bible is that the LORD wants to spend time with us all individually. But for that to happen, we need to be holy and give time for the LORD. Through the blood of Christ, we attain salvation and are made holy, and now it is up to us to dedicate time for the LORD. When we do, we’ll have the matchless experience of the LORD living in our hearts.

Paul reminds us the same in his epistle to the Corinthians. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16). Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19). So, when we acknowledge this and spend time with the LORD, He’ll dwell with us and guide us in our journey into the world.

David understood this very well. From his youthful days David sought the LORD so much that his heart and mind resonated with the LORD. Even when David sinned, he was vigilant to mend his relationship with the LORD. David's daily communion with the LORD is reflected in the Psalms. Psalm 23 (NKJV) is a beautiful reminder of the Lord's shepherding care and provision. Through experience the psalmist says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." It is also an invitation for us to trust in the Lord's guidance and to rest in his provision. When we allow ourselves to trust in the Lord in this way, we can experience his presence in our daily lives.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:8-16

Paul likewise encourages us to pursue Christ above all else. He states, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." This pursuit of Christ requires a daily surrender of our own desires and priorities, but it also deepens our communion with Him. Additionally, this close communion with Christ will make us mature in spiritual things and lead to revelations from the LORD.

In Luke 24:13-33 we read about two disciples on the road to Emmaus who encounter the risen Christ, but do not recognize him. Eventually after he broke bread with them, Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him (v.31). After this the disciples said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”(v32). Daily communion with Christ is a requirement to understand Him. And only when we understand Christ will we be fervent about the will of the LORD in our lives.

To summarize, communion with the risen Christ in daily life requires an intentional pursuit of Christ above all else, a trust in his provision and care, and a willingness to open ourselves up to his presence in our daily routines and relationships. When we invite Christ into our lives in this way, we can experience a profound sense of his shepherding care, his provision, and his guidance, as well as a deepening of our communion with him. Further, we will be worthy servants to whom the LORD reveals his plans and lead us in our path.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:6