There's something that my heart is bursting to tell you. It's a truth buried underneath my skin, ignited in all of our hearts, and whispering to us in the quiet moments and the loud memories of life. This truth brings with it freedom, grace, purpose, and humility. It welcomes us into something bigger than us and yet it is here. Now.

This truth changes everything.

You've probably already skimmed the post to read those bold words below, so here they are:

GOD IS WITH US!

There. I've said it. In bold. That's when you know it's important. But it's so important, I will say it again, only this time, I want you to slow down. I want to to think about what these words mean. Sit with God for a moment in stillness and awe of the fact that He is with you right now.

God, God, is with us. Inhale.

The all-powerful, indescribable, eternal God moves in your heart right now. Exhale.

God is with me as I sit on my bed, quiet in the rush of the day. Look around you.

And He is with you. Immanuel. It is not just a cool name to say around Christmastime, it is a truth to live by all year.

Oh how that changes everything.

Check out Romans 8:12-17"

"9 You, however are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also gave life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who live in you.

"12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption into sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now, if we are children, then we are also heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in his sufferings in order than we may share in his glory."

God with us means we have a mission, His mission (Romans 8:17). And in this mission, our lives reach their fullness (Matthew 28:16-20). So let us live out the mission of Immanuel.

God with us means we have the truth and can reject the lies of the world (Romans 8:9). Oh how these lies surround us and tempt us to stand on shaking ground (John 8:31-32), but we have the solid truth. So let us stand on the truth of Immanuel

God with us means that we have a hope bigger than anything this world can throw at us (Romans 8:10). And this world knows how to throw some big curveballs. Death. Injury. Shame. Insecurity. Broken hearts. But the God who is in us is greater than the one in this world (1 John 4:4). So let us look unto Immanuel.

God with us means that we are never alone (Romans 8:15-16). Even as we struggle with the stress of school, the disappointment of people, and the doubt in ourselves, we never go through these things alone. Rather, the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the grave is alive in us (Romans 8:11)! So let us live with Immanuel.

Yes, God with us changes everything. But we must let it change everything. We must also be with God. We must learn how to be with Him even while we are walking to class, talking over dinner, or dealing with our prideful hearts. And when I say must, I do not mean to make this another rule to follow. Not at all! Rather, being with God brings the greatest joy of our hearts! It contains our rest, purpose, and hope. It gives us eyes to see through the fog of life and a heart ready to love in this broken world. God came to us so that we get to be with Him.

God is with you.

Will you live as though that is true?

A version of this article first appeared on my blog, Grace In Everything. Check it out, and my other writing at graceineverything.com.