The full meal deal

By Darlene Smith
Rainy River Ministerial

I saw Jesus at a gate at the eastern edge of town when I was praying for Rainy River. I was longing with all my heart for Him to feel welcome and come through the gate into our town.
You may say, “But Jesus is in our town.”
Indeed, He is.
In the scriptures we read however, that there are two types of the presence of God, the everywhere presence of God that is in all creation and the obvious or seen presence of God that showed up in visual signs and wonders mentioned in the Bible.
As I continued to pray I saw a little child walk up to Him at the gate and take His hand and led Him in. He seemed delighted and pleased. His heart was moved and responded to a child’s plea.
It reminded me of the scripture in Mark 10:13-16
13 Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them, but his followers told them to stop. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was upset and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.” 16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
(NCV)
It wasn’t the mature adult that could lead Him in, it was someone who, in child-like faith, could simply take His hand and His heart responded and came in.
In the book of Revelation there are seven churches mentioned in seven cities.
In the seventh city the people thought they could see, thought they were rich and had everything they needed. They became indifferent to the presence of Jesus. They took it for granted that He was present and basically went on with life.
Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 19 I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.20 “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
The question becomes this: “What type of the presence of God does Rainy River need?”
The one that doesn’t interfere with our day to day life too much but it is nice to know its there.   Or
The one that comes in and is evident to our eyes because lives are touched and changed because of child-like faith.
As in verse 20, I want the full-meal deal, everything God has to offer to us.
Jesus, please come in.