God is Closer Than You Think

For Noah it was a rainbow. For Abraham it was circumcision. For Moses it was a burning. But for all of them, they had an outward, tangible sign that God was present and that he would in fact fulfill his covenant promise. They were just like us. They needed something that made the invisible God, visible. We have all been stumped in our everyday lives playing “Where’s Waldo” with the God of the universe who is invisible, inaudible, and untouchable. A visible sign helped them to remember that God is closer than we think.

The one fact that God is present and alive in the everyday, ordinary moments of my life can be an elusive reality. Our preset series, “The Perfect Trap”, will demonstrate over the next month just how much living in an imperfect world can lead us into a “hide and seek” game with God. Whether it’s an unexpected test result, a job loss, or mistakes made as a parent, there’s never a burning bush when you need one. The weaknesses, flaws, and defects of our imperfect world can throw us into a spiritual tail-spin of pain and confusion. It makes it impossible to live up to “model home conditions” of perfection. Biblical expectations set? us from having to perform and stage our lives so it appears we have all the right answers, we have it all together, and we have all under control.

It was the Psalmist who revealed that “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9) Like daylight appearing, he prayed, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (10:17) God’s presence is the game changer. It’s the factor that can change the way every day of our lives unfold. God is not responsible for every tragedy and setback we experience. Nor has he determined every plight. But make no mistake …. he will never waste them. He will draw us close to him in our imperfect moment. It is there that he will meet us. It is there that he will change.

But God’s presence may turn out to be more than just a comfort, and certainly more than just an abstract theological concept.  It can also be an accountability factor. Think about it: God being everywhere can also make us think twice about our behavior. Just remember what you did when your parents were out of town and you were alone for the weekend. Consider how your driving becomes angelic when a cop is in sight. Talk about a game changer! 

It is for this reason I have named my weekly blog with you “The Unseen  3^rd Party”. God’s presence is truly just that. In every circumstance, location, or relationship that we will ever encounter in life, God’s presence will not be the unseen 3^rd party. It’s the factor that can change the way every day of our lives unfold.

God is closer than you think.