You shall not defile

the land in which you live,

in the midst

    of which I dwell,

for I the LORD

dwell in the midst

         of Israel.

         Numbers 35. 34

(Awareness of

       His Presence

manifests itself in

  different daily choices

by which we are

distinguished as His people.

He dwells in our midst.

And that should look

      very different

in what we do and say,

pursue and pray,

love others,

and bring grace to it.

What makes us

           different?

"It is not I who live

but Christ who lives in me."

We are not just

           nice people,

but His people.)

O LORD,

May we be not seen,

           but You.

Help us to be so loving

and merciful

and gracious

that it draws others

       right to You.

Even in the ordinary

and in the most volatile

            situations,

that You would be seen.

May we be aware

that what distinguishes us

                  as Yours

is our loving response

to the actions of others.