The last essay in this book is the best. It zeros in on a concept called “Faithful Presence.” This is what every Christ follower is called to. This essentially means that we are called to “learn to live the alternative reality of the kingdom of God within the present world order faithfully.” (p. 236) In other words, we are called love incredibly, give generously, take care of the poor, be godly fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, live out the reality of what the kingdom of God is and do it faithfully.

Now faithfulness is something much of the Christian community struggles with. Our divorce rates are as high as those who don’t claim faith, Christians have been known to be scoundrels throughout history cheating people in business (it’s happened to me by a so-called ‘Christian’ brother), we have a hard time forgiving others, especially our enemies – this list could go on. These behaviors will not change the world, nor will they be a light and witness to the rest of the people in our lives. Faithful presence is not about being perfect, but it is about living with character and integrity. 

This is realize in two critical lessons for our time: (1) The incarnation is the only adequate reply to the challenges of dissolution; the erosion of trust between word and world and the problems that attend it. (2) It is the way the Word became incarnate in Jesus Christ and the purposes to which the incarnation was directed that are the only adequate reply to challenge(s) of difference. For the Christian, if there is a possibility for human flourishing in a world such as ours, it begins when God’s word of love becomes flesh in us, is embodied in us, is enacted through us..(then) a trust is forged between the word spoken and the reality to which it speaks; to the words we speak and the realities to which we , the church, point. (p.241).

All in all, we need to live the greatest message the world has ever known and that Christ came to bring. When the reality of this message gets inside of us, it changes everything about is. “It is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20). I put my selfishness and fears away and take care of the widow, the orphan and the stranger. My home becomes a place of refuge that is open to others. My life is marked by what God offers and I offer it others freely; goodness, peace, truth, beauty, joy, fruitufulness…the Shalom (peace complete, perfect, and full) of flourishing (242)

What will change the world? Thousands of Christians living this message, starting with you and me living it our lives, families and communities. When we incarnate Jesus and his message it changes everything. Love not only covers a multitude of sins, it is the greatest power the world has ever known. That’s what we need and it’s what we must give. 

God, help us to live with Faithful Presence – faith, hope, and love (262). May these attributes be cornerstones in our lives as we “worshiip God for who He is and honor Him in all we do.” (p. 286)