The Reminder That We Are Never Alone

Rev. Erik Swanson
May 3, 2026

Today feels like a return to something simple but essential: I am not alone. I’m reminded that there is a loving, eternal presence — God’s Spirit — that is always with me, accompanying me through every moment of life. I think about that phrase, “Bidden or not, God is present,” and I realize this isn’t about a fearful, watchful God waiting to punish me. Instead, it’s about a presence filled with wisdom, grace, and love — one that guides, strengthens, and even transforms me if I’m open to it.

We Aren’t Abandoned

In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks from a place of deep awareness, knowing his time on earth is ending. I imagine how unsettling that must have been for the disciples who depended on him as their teacher and hope. Yet Jesus reassures them — and now me — that they won’t be abandoned. Even though his physical presence would be gone, God would send an Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, to continue guiding them. That promise wasn’t just for them; it’s for us too.

The Spirit Is In Everything We Do

I find myself both comforted and challenged by the idea that God’s presence is always with me. It’s comforting when I feel aligned and at my best, but it can feel daunting when I know I’m falling short. Still, the invitation isn’t to hide but to become more attentive — to live with an awareness of that Spirit in everything I do. Jesus makes it clear that this isn’t just about belief or emotion; it’s about practice. “If you love me, keep my commands.” For me, that means actively living out love, compassion, justice, and truth in the world.

God’s Presence Is Always Here

But how do I know what that looks like day to day? That’s where the Spirit comes in. I don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m reminded that my role isn’t to chase after God or earn God’s presence, but to open myself to the presence that is already here. That shift changes everything. God is not distant — I simply need to become aware.

This leads me to the practice of listening. I have to intentionally engage with the Spirit, especially in the deeper parts of my life. When I need patience, do I ask for it? When I need vision, do I wait and listen? I recall a moment in prayer when the word “perseverance” surfaced clearly within me. Holding onto that and living it out made a real difference. That’s how the Spirit works when I’m paying attention.

God Is In Us

I’m also drawn to the idea, often explored by mystics, that I am not just near God but in God — and God is in me. That kind of closeness reshapes everything. I imagine myself stepping into water that represents God, being invited to go deeper, to be fully immersed. It makes me wonder how open I really am to being held and transformed by that presence.

A Time Of Great Revealing

At the same time, I sense that the Spirit is active in the world in ways that may be difficult but necessary. There’s a kind of “great revealing” happening, where broken systems and false beliefs are being exposed. It feels like a collective dark night, a time of unlearning and transformation. And even here, the Spirit is present — guiding us toward something truer, more just, more whole.

How Do We Respond?

So I return to that central truth: I am never alone. We are never alone. That both comforts and challenges me. The question I carry forward is simple but profound — how will I respond? Will I listen? Will I open myself? Will I live in deeper awareness of the Spirit moving in me and around me? That is the invitation before me, today and always.