I Want To Experience the Presence of God.

Jesus is sitting next to you every moment of every day.

In a world that constantly clamors for our attention, life seems to move increasingly faster, pulling us in a million different directions.  We have access to a wealth of opportunities at our fingertips, and there are numerous activities for our family to enjoy.   This can seem like such a tremendous blessing, but I also believe it comes with a downside when not kept in the balance I believe God intends for us. I have found that the faster I move, the more certain things are sacrificed.  Just to share a couple.

Relationships become more superficial.  It's like the faster I drive in my car, the more attentive I have to be to the road and the less attentive I am to the passenger beside me.  The speed at which you live your life will impact your relationships, especially your relationship with God. He is constantly with you, but are you constantly aware of it?  How can I know the presence of God and enjoy it, experiencing all that it can offer when the pace of my life is out of control? 

I love the clarity of Psalm 46:10. "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”   Slow down!

Without a slower pace, you can’t know him, his ways, and his glory.  He wants to be with you. This may require you to ask yourself why you were going so fast and what you fear about a slower pace. Do we fear experiencing God more? God promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, He will be found (Jeremiah 29:11). He also tells us what can happen in His presence. 

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,  with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11.

Experiencing God’s presence can transform my mind and heart, even in the midst of chaos.  He loves being invited into our chaos and will never decline. When he arrives, he expects us to cooperate with him.  Since I work at a church, I can often neglect his presence in the very place I am calling others to experience God.  I have chosen that while it's my job as a leader to pursue excellence at church and evaluate services and staff, I have a greater opportunity not to allow that to keep me from God.  I listen to worship and teaching to experience God and get to know Him more, and I try to avoid Al’s critical review of everything. Ironically, I believe this gives me greater insight into fulfilling my pastoral role.

When I experience more of God, I realize he is bigger and more mysterious than I could have ever imagined.  I may gain a greater understanding of his ways, but even more, I am challenged to trust a God I will never fully comprehend until eternity. Ultimately, experiencing the presence of God often involves embracing a sense of mystery and trusting in a reality that may transcend our complete understanding. It's about accepting your limitations and applying a childlike faith to the unseen journey ahead of you. This is tough for us overthinkers.  I hope you want to experience God’s presence with me.

Al Rossi