Often in our conversations around the house you will hear the words, “The States”.<span>  </span>Around the dinner table, we will talk about “The States” as we share memories or make distant plans (2011) for when we return.<span>  </span>We talk about what we did, where we lived, what it was like, and what it will be like. Our discussion turns to old friends, and what they are doing. Even today I talked about how many more miles I used to put on our vehicles in “The States” as compared to now.

The funny thing is, our kids use the term as well. I am not talking about the older ones that have legitimate things to say based on experience. I mean Patience, Joy, and Hope. Now remember, Patience is 3, Joy is 5 and Hope is 6. We have lived here in Bolivia since May of ’07 (making them respectfully: 2, 4, 5). Not only that, but they were and are part of a homeschooling family with a full time Mom….in other words…they didn’t get out much.

Yet it is amusing to hear Patience say, “In the ‘States’…blah blah blah”. Or Joy discuss what it was like to live in our house in VA, which she moved out of in January of 2007…and cannot even tell me what color her bedroom was. She will say, “When we lived in the ‘States’ we used to….. I realized what they were doing. They have heard us talk and listened to the stories of our experiences so much that they believe they have the same memories. They have simply adapted their vocabulary and their stories to match that of those around them. Even Joshua, who is 10, cannot really tell me a story all his own about the “States”. He just repeats what he has heard. Last night at dinner, I stopped the conversation and asked who could tell me what “The States” even was. David is 11….and all he could say is that it was where we used to live.

Then it hit me. They do the same thing that you and I often do. We listen to the testimonies, the experiences, and the stories of how God has worked in the lives of others. We sing songs and hear sermons about the power of God intersecting with the weakness of man. We watch and listen to so much spiritual input that WE THINK WE HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE.

Our “States” is that of having the power and presence of God manifested in our lives. Our “States” is believing that what happened to someone else means good stuff must have happened to us. We talk about the “States” and what we mean is that place of supernatural living where God is evident and life is joyful. It is a place where people enjoy praying and love reading the Scripture. It is a place where the Fruit of the Holy Spirit is the normal by product of a life. It is the normal Christian life as described in the Bible.

But I have a question for you. Are you simply repeating the emotions, experiences and realities of others….or do you have them yourself? Is it YOUR prayer life and YOUR interaction with God that you are discussing…or is it the memory of another that has blended into your own?  

When was the last time that the incredible power, the supernatural ability of an almighty God was truly experienced BY YOU? When was the last time that you lost track of time while reading the Scripture?

As I asked my kids at the dinner table….can you share with me one memory that is truly and totally yours?

My point? God is real and active and wants to be a part of YOUR life…TODAY. He wants you to be able to share with others about your love relationship with Him. He wants you to personally experience His Presence and Power. God doesn’t want you to be a reporter of events. He wants you to be a witness of experiences.

God wants to be in a constant “State” of communion with you. Is He? Will you let Him?