Owen on Communion

I've just begun to read an abridged version of John Owen's Communion with God put out by Banner of Truth. At the end of the first chapter, I came across this quote:

"Our communion with God lies in his giving himself to us and our giving ourselves and all that he requires to him. This communion with God flows from that union which is in Christ Jesus. This communion will be perfect and complete when we enter into the full enjoyment of Christ's glory. Then we shall totally give up ourselves to him, resting in him as the utmost fulfilment of all our desires. This communion is now only partial because we presently only enjoy the first-fruits and dawnings of that future perfection. It is with regard to this initial communion that I intend to speak and to show that mutual giving and receiving between God and the saints as they walk together in holy and spiritual peace. This covenant of peace is brought about by the blood of Jesus. But first I pray that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has, by the riches of his grace, brought us from a state of enmity into this glorious fellowship with himself, may give you such a taste of his sweetness and excellence in this communion as to be stirred up to a greater longing for that eternal enjoyment of him in eternal glory."

There is a lot of truth packed into this paragraph, but a few points stand out:
1) Through Christ, we have been brought into communion or fellowship with God (1 Peter 3:18). This is an amazing thing when you think about what we've done (Romans 3:10-12), and what we deserve (Matthew 25:41).
2) Our communion with God now is only partial, and it will remain so until Christ returns or God calls us home. I'm looking forward to hearing more from Owen as he masterfully investigates what God's Word has to say on our present, "initial" communion with God.
3) This "initial" communion is sweet (and thinking about it is the point of this book), but it is peanuts compared to what Owen calls "eternal enjoyment of him in eternal glory." We ought to desperately long for that day.
4) Our communion with God can and should impact our every moment. Christians aren't independent beings. We constantly live in communion with our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. This truth is tremendously encouraging when we face trials and tribulations (like a snide word from a friend or co-worker, an unfavorable diagnosis, or the loss of a job). God dwells in constant communion with His children. He's there, He's active, and He is working for our good. This truth regarding our communion with God should also prompt us to strive after holiness. Our God communes with us. We ought to strive for personal holiness and purity. He's there, He's active, and He desires that we become more like His Son to the glory of His name. As Owen has described it so far, this communion with God is the most satisfying thing we can experience this side of heaven.