Is God Among Us or Not?

Exodus 17 - God always gives us gifts for the building up of his community.  For example, the staff of Moses, who told God, "I have nothing to offer" became a symbol of his usefulness to God.  We each have a gift given to us by God to use in the building up of his community, although many times the gifts are not recognized or used.  Instead, we gauge our worthiness on worldly measurements such as our assets (bank account, possessions, education, job) or our happiness or something as simple as if we are having a good hair day.  There is nothing special about any of these things, only the presence of God with us.