The other day I had an awkward moment with the Lord. I had set aside a little time in my schedule to consider scripture, pray and journal and as I prayed I felt some discontentment. I asked the Lord what the deal was and all that came to mind was that I was in a comfy leather recliner, and I should really be on my knees. I often sense this when I pray in comfy leather recliners and this day I chose to respond. (Other times I just say "really!? you won't listen to my prayer if I'm in this chair!?" It's worth mentioning that this approach often ends poorly).
I got on my knees and put my face down on the floor with my hands folded, a pretty popular position when going for "prostrate but respectable." About 15 seconds in I realized my shirt was riding up my back and my crack was showing. This embarrassed me to the point that I had to adjust before I could continue praying. Please understand that I was in my own home, alone.
The thing that stood out immediately is how conscious I was of God's presence because I was specifically trying to interact with Him. About 10 seconds later I remembered that God is ALWAYS there, and I began to feel foolish for all the times when I act as if he isn't.
God says through the prophet Jeremiah "Am I a God at hand, says the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord." (23:22-24) And Psalm 139 speaks of God being there wherever we go on the Earth and even outside of the Earth!
People act differently when they are in the presence of authority, just ask someone in the military how they respond when a superior officer enters the room. We also act differently when someone of a higher moral standard is around. I can't count the number of times someone has apologized and tried to curb their language after finding out that I work in ministry. (I understand the 'rising to the moral occasion' argument isn't 100% - I just want to point out that it happens). I don't think we should regard God as a cosmic big brother looking over our shoulder waiting for us to screw up - but it is worth remember that he's there. I think it can actually be encouraging, remembering that he's there to support and guide us and that he's not some far off Deity channel surfing through the lives of his creatures. So next time you pray, wear a belt - and next time you find your heart rebelling against God and the temptation to be a knucklehead gripping your imagination, try to remember that He's there with you - loving you, and wanting the best for you. Don't try to hide from his presence, embrace it and let the Spirit talk you off the ledge of sin.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment