Have you ever wondered how you would look if the presence of God leaves you?

In the book “Run with horses” by Eugene Peterson who is the author of the brilliant message version, narrates a personal story which has a stronger impact on me and I do not want to forget it all my life. The real time incident goes like this, a man by the name Willi Ossa was an artist, who worked as a janitor at night in a Church on New York’s west side and during the day he painted. Eugene got to know him when he was a theological student working at the same Church as an assistant pastor. Willi decided to paint a portrait of Eugene for which he had to visit couple of time to his house and sit for thirty minutes. The only condition by the painter is not to see the picture before it is completed.

The painting work was nearing completion when one day Eugene wife came to the room and looked at the portrait and exclaimed in outrage because the picture looked like a corpse. Willi had to pacify her and gave the reason for what he was doing and said, “He’s not sick; that’s the way he will look when the compassion is gone, when the mercy gets squeezed out of him.”. Does it make sense? So much for me. When the presence of God had to move out from our lives we would just be like a dead corpse attempting all that we did while God was with us and yet bringing blasphemy to His name. Romans 2:24.

Let’s not forget Samson once used by God powerfully when lost His presence had to play a part of a clown, entertaining the crowd gathered in the temple (Numbers 16:25)

Lucifer the most beautiful angel whose description magnificently narrated was thrown from the position Ezekiel 28: 12-19 (Sad latter stage)

The Ephesus Church was warned because of the fallen stage and it says, “..I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place ...’ NASB Revelation 2:5

Paul warning the common people too in Galatians 5:7 “you were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth”

Let us be careful not to lose His presence and fight a losing battle with the enemy. May our prayers be like David in Psalms 51:11 CSB, “Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a wiling spirit.

Blessings.