Everywhere!

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (Psalm 139:7-12 ESV).

It is beginning to look fall in Texas. Of course, the color in our region of the state is significantly different than East Tennessee; however, I can appreciate the shades of green as they begin their change to yellows and reds here easily. The picture I’ve chosen to accompany today’s thought is a typical east Texas logging raid through a thick pine forest that has yet to be harvested. It prompts me to continue my meanderings through the attributes of God; and, today I’m pondering the omnipresence of God. Or, simply put, God is everywhere at the same time. This is the clear declaration of our reading today. I am also drawn to another reading found in the prophecy of Jeremiah: Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:23-24 ESV). To be omnipresent is to be in all places, at all times. Yet, it is important to understand that for God “to be” in a place is not the same way we are in a place. God’s being is all together different from physical matter. He exists on a plane wholly distinguishable from the one readily available to the five senses. Nevertheless, he is with us, the fullness of his presence is all around us. Sometimes that makes it a bit difficult for us. After all, all of us have had those times in our lives when we just need “God with skin on.” I like the way Tozer answers this need when he writes, “God is always near us, closer than our thoughts. The knowledge that we are never alone calms the troubled sea of our lives and speaks peace to our soul.” This is the root of deep comfort to every believer, especially when we struggle with loneliness or deep sorrow. Even as we cannot use our five senses to directly experience the presence of God, He has made himself noticeable in the world we experience. Often our problem is simply not noticing. Perhaps that’s the reason for my renewed musings at season’s change. It does require intention. We often go about the regular schedule of our busy lives and fail to notice things that are right before us. I’ve often been caught in that error. On more than one occasion I have been asked if I noticed the new blouse or sweater Mary has donned. As I stumble to answer with some credible defense, I realized I just wasn’t paying attention. Pay attention to God who is all around you today!