I love technology. I love that I get to be connected to almost any place in the world and have almost any piece of information in my pocket. And that I can create so much for the glory of God and the good of others with technology. But… there is something I hate about technology. It’s affected by the fall and can be used to dislocate us from the present reality we live in physically each and every day. "I just had this awesome moment with my kids- let me tweet about it.” Far too often this is my response, rather than being present in the moment- in the place that God has called me.
I recently read EverPresent: How the Gospel Relocates us in the Present by Jeremy Writebol and was immensely challenged and encouraged by the book. Jeremy briefly develops a theology of place based upon God’s attribute of Omnipresence (God’s ability to be present everywhere) and then he applies that doctrine to our lives and our mission. It’s a great example of how right theology (orthodoxy) should affect right practice (orthopraxy). Our doctrine of God’s Omnipresence should affect the way we as Christians, indwelt with the Holy Spirit, are present in our communities.
Theology of Place
During the first part of the book, Jeremy talks about our longing for home as humans and how we don’t ever quite feel like we are home. We are dislocated. Ultimately this is because of our first parents' sin and rebellion against God and the fracture this caused. We stand in their line (and- lets be honest- we would have done the same thing!) and now feel that dislocation, that fracture, that feeling that this isn’t how its supposed to be.The only answer to this is the gospel. The good news that Jesus came to our place, took on our flesh, took on our sin, and then died for us and rose again so that we might put on his righteousness, his glory, and go forever to His place.
And by His place, I mean, this place, this earth: redeemed and glorified where our King Jesus graciously and visibly reigns. Jeremy points out that one of the things that makes Christianity unique is our view of the afterlife. It’s not some ethereal other place where we all float around with wings and harps and sit on clouds and look like precious moments figurines (personally, thats not a place I want to go). But, its this place, this wonderful physical creation that we get to enjoy for all eternity. The heavenly city descends upon the earth so that Revelation 21:3 would be fulfilled and "God himself will be with them as their God.” How glorious and wonderful. Revelation 22:3 goes on to say that the affects of the curse are reversed and what began in Eden will be fulfilled and magnified in the City of God.
Putting our Theology of Place into Practice
Now, what does this have to do with our life here and our mission to along with Jesus “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Well, here is where we apply our doctrine of God’s omnipresence to our mission. Jeremy breaks this down into 4 places: First Places, Home; Second Places, Work; Third Places, Social Environments; and Fourth Places: the City. He challenges us to be present in these environments. To be present in the power of the Holy Spirit to be salt and light in all these places. To be present in the power of the Holy Spirit to show the fruit of the Holy Spirit to those we meet in these places, our children, our co-workers, our neighbors and friends, and the society in which we are placed sovereignly by God. And to be present with the message of the gospel affecting our lives, and on our lips. We want to boldly proclaim the gospel, but as Jeremy points out, we can’t proclaim it unless we are present in the lives of those who need it.Conclusion
This book was encouraging to me because it frees me from the pressure of making opportunities to share my faith. It means I can just show up, trusting God in the power of His Spirit and I will get opportunities to show love and mercy and proclaim the greatest news in all the world. It was also challenging to me, because I’m free to be present within the world in order to be salt and light with my words and actions. I must repent of my selfishness, laziness, and fear and step into the world I have been sovereignly placed in and be present for the glory of God.I would encourage you to check out this book and as the church let’s be present together for God’s glory and the good of world.
You can pick up the book here:
