They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

    - Luke 24.32

The holy man was reverenced with so great gratitude that where he remained for a time in a house, all hearts were resolved to practice the faith more strictly.

    - Jonas, Life of St. Columban, Italian, 7th century

Some people affect me just by their presence, and not always positively.

Some are so self-absorbed and focused on their own admirable qualities that they repulse and sadden me.

Too much like I tend to be, I think.

Others, shallow and insipid, open a vein in my soul that gladly flows into their meaningless inanities, thus dragging us all down.

Then there is the occasional person whose presence exudes divine glory – something indescribable but real, something that turns my soul heavenward with gratitude and wonder. In the presence of such people – and, except for my wife, Susie, they are few and far between – I cannot help but want to linger, learn, and live my faith more strictly.

What kind of response does my presence evoke, I wonder? I tend to be withdrawn, reticent, and brooding in the company of others.

That’s gotta be just a really great feeling to be around.

I long for God to liven me up with His warmth, His intense interest in every aspect of life, and His abiding concern to hear, heal, and renew.

I confess I’ve often longed for others to respond to my teaching and writing like those disciples did to Jesus, and like people did around Columbanus. If this is to happen, if being around me – or reading or studying with me – is to cause others to experience glory and hope, and to long for transcendent things, it will only be as Jesus becomes more vitally and consistently present through me.

Or through you, for that matter.

Whom will you be with today? How will they experience your presence? Will your attentiveness, compassion, kindness, interest, genuineness, and gentleness lift their souls heavenward?

Or will we just be like all the other people in their lives, who drain others to satisfy their own needs rather than kindle the flame of heavenly wonder and delight in their souls?

There is power in presence. But that power can work two ways. Pray that God will empower you today for glory, hope, and salvation.

Psalm 24.3-6 (Foundation: “How Firm a Foundation”)
Oh, who may ascend to the Lord’s holy place?
And who may appear to His glorious face?
All they who are clean in their hearts and their hands
And true in their souls with their Savior shall stand.

A blessing all they from the Lord shall receive
Who seek Him and on His salvation believe.
For these are His people, the children of grace,
Who earnestly, eagerly seek for His face.

Lord, can I really affect others just by my presence? Can this really be so? How, Lord? Be living and active in me today, Lord Jesus, that others may know You through me.

I want to encourage you, in becoming more like Jesus, to order a copy of the book, A Vine-Ripened Life, by Stan Gale. Stan is a long-time friend and member of the Board of The Fellowship of Ailbe. This book can show you how to draw near to Jesus and abide in Him, so that He actually makes His presence known in and through you, day by day.

Thanks to all who have sent a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe recently. We are cheered and encouraged by the growing support in prayer and giving that we are seeing from you, the Members of The Ailbe Community. We are committed to serving you, especially through prayer and teaching. If you have a particular prayer request, send it to me, and we will hold you up before the Lord, that He might show mercy and grace to help in your time of need. You can support The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the donate button here or at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.