I have been amazed recently to find how much the current generation of popstars are using social networking and other media to enable their fans to follow them as never before. Twitter accounts allow fans to see what they are up to and comment on it. Websites give all the details fans would want to know about future tours and events as well as biogs. And online podcasts and video interviews give fans the opportunity to interact live with them. One group even held a pre-concert meet up with fans where they could sign autographs and chat.

I know this because I have a teenage daughter who is very keen on some groups and singers and have seen this live. For example, she is the person referred to and sung to in this video (from about 17.46).

This level of access and interaction is impressive  but it’s not new. That’s what God did 2012 years ago. Jesus gave people access to God in an unprecedented way. They could see him, hear him, touch him, eat with him, laugh with him, cry with him.

I wish I could have been there. Because lots of it is recorded in the Bible we have eyewitness accounts that give us great insight. I have been tempted to think that this is second-best, but by giving us his Spirit we have an access all areas pass to God that does not even need a Twitter account. We can be followers at any time. This is something we can easily take for granted. And because he is in others, we encounter him in and through others too.

God is with us, in us, alongside us, beneath us…

St Patrick’s Breastplate* is an ancient prayer that has a part which perfectly encapsulates this:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Today there’s not going to be a joke in this bloggage. I am going to indulge myself a little and ask for your prayers. There’s an important meeting on Monday regarding my health and if you are a pray-er I would appreciate it if you would pray for the people in that meeting – that they would be compassionate, wise and make the right decisions. Thank you. In a real way I believe you are answering the prayer above as you do because I don’t know many of you who follow this blog or read it but am experiencing God’s blessing through your prayers – Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

Be blessed, be a blessing.

*the full prayer is here