The presence of God (2)

'God is omnipresent' I wrote in my previous blog. He is everywhere, even though we may not always experience it as such. As a matter of fact, we can sometimes even feel very, very alone.

On the other hand, it may just be so that in the past you were threathened with the fact that He is everywhere... 'Remember, God sees everything and He knows everything.'

As if He is always looking to see if He can catch us doing something wrong. Perhaps the psalmist felt that somewhat, for he wrote:

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,you are there. (Psalm 139:7-8). He wanted to hide from God, but realized he couldn't.

Actually, I really like the idea that God is omnipresent! He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). He is always near us and with us, He is for us and not against us. Frankly, I think that's a very nice thought. No matter how I feel, I'm never alone.

👉God around us, God with us... and God in us, that's how it is. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17).

God's glorious presence zoomed in from a universe level, from the heavens to our inmost being. What a miracle that is!

The presence of God (1)

God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is omnipresent. A difficult word maybe, but it simply means that He is everywhere. Of course He is, because He is not bound by place, time or dimension.

If God is omnipresent, why do Christians often talk about experiencing the presence of God? Shouldn't we be able to experience Him anytime, anywhere? Or, are there any specific moments, places, or occasions where His presence is more noticeable?

On the other hand, many people ask themselves 'where was God' when it comes to war, terrorism, violence, abuse, or other misery. On a personal level, where was He when I needed Him so much? Perhaps that is a question you have asked as well...

I've decided to write a few short, simple blogs about 'The Presence of God' in a new series. Sometimes we use such terms so easily, but what does it really mean? And where are all those people who experience God's presence just about every day? To be honest, sometimes I don't notice Him at all.

So, it will be good to think about this topic for a while. Will you join me?

Writing as love language

I once got a diary for my birthday. I don't remember how old I was... maybe 8 or 9. It was one of those diaries with a golden lock on it. You could trust your secrets to paper and no one could get to them. I loved it!

For years I wrote many of my childish and (later) adolescent thoughts in such diaries. When we moved to another house, I threw them all away. The thought of anyone reading my secrets was downright embarrassing.

When I became a believer about twenty years ago, I started writing again. It's called journaling these days. I have already filled quite a few notebooks. And yes, I definitely read back from time to time. It's interesting to see what I was worried about ten years ago, what I had questions about, or what I prayed for. Most things turned out well 😁

Over the years, my writing has, in reality, become talking with God. It has become the love language between Him and me. When I make a journal entry it usually starts with me talking about what's on my mind. When I am halfway the page I often notice that I no longer write down what I think, but what God wants to say to me. You can see this change in perspective quite often in the psalms.

👉 My pen becomes His instrument in my hands, as it were. Whenever it is hard for me to hear His still small voice, I'll write. Do you recognize that?

Even if you don't like writing, you should start... just to have one of those beautiful journals from Flame Tree!