5/7/13

The Ever-Present Presence

"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."                                              ~ Psalm 139:7-10


I  picked up my mom last week to take a drive up the Columbia Gorge.  The weather has been absolutely wonderful which means the sun was shining.  The spring colors are vibrant and then adding the sun almost makes one feel warm and fuzzy all over.  The road on the Washington side of the river is a twisty and windy one.  Lots of turns and curves. I think that I scared mom as I quickly pulled over to the side of the road to take this picture.  We were coming up to Cape Horn which is straight up on one side and a straight drop down on the other side with only the road carved into the side of the rock.  A long time ago this part of the road made my heart pump faster because it was so scary to me.  We were moving from Minnesota to this mountainous terrain and sister Jan was in tears because she was sure that she would never be able to learn to drive here.

It was such a pleasant time together with my mom.  I am very grateful to be able to spend time with her.  Oftentimes, we talk about the same things.  Other times, like when we were on our drive, we don't talk much at all.  I suppose that this could make me feel uneasy to where I would talk just to fill the silence.  But I don't feel that way. It is just in the being together that makes it enjoyable.  Not always does there have to be some meaningful conversation to make it worthwhile.  I have been told that in the special relationships we don't need noise to accompany them.   Silence or quietness is okay.  It's not every day that we are together but even the thought of her gives me a sense of her presence.

There is a comfortableness in knowing that someone is near.  I remember when the kids were little they seemed to follow me wherever  I would go.  When I would stop so would they.  Dan and I enjoy each other's company and often will just sit on the porch or deck quietly together.  When one of us leaves it isn't too long before one goes looking for the other.  When Dan is away traveling I make sure that I am really tired before going to bed as I'm so used to his presence.  I realize that not everyone has another person near them at all times.  It is like that for my mom and this is the thing that she misses the most.  Just having another person in the room with her, someone else's presence to know that she isn't alone.

In reality none of us are really alone.  We might be the only human in the house but for the person who has been redeemed, the Lord of all is near.  This might not seem as tangible as another human of flesh and blood but, nevertheless, He is more real than we think.  Our human eyes do not see clearly that which is heavenly.  Oftentimes, the noise of this world drowns out the whisper that woos us to come to Him.  I suppose it takes a lifetime to hear and see that which the Lord is drawing us to.

God is always present.  There isn't a moment that goes by that He is not there.  I may not sense His presence and His silence may be uncomfortable for me.  But everything around me shouts His very existence and there is nowhere that I can go that He can't be found.  The ever-present presence of the Almighty God is confounding and mysterious to my human mind (Psalm 139:6).  Yet, this is what the soul longs for and was created for.  To be ever present in the presence of the Lord, knowing Him, trusting Him and sensing that He is near  brings comfort and joy unimaginable.  So, those moments when I am afraid and lonely are the times that I must remind myself that He is with me.  The times that life is so busy with the hustle and bustle of it all I must remind myself that He is near.  In the silence of confusion and doubt He is next to me helping me to be okay with the silence, handing over my fears to His kind provision for the moment.

Then there is peace.   Like the tranquil drive on a sunny day enjoying the company of a much loved one.  Or even on the road that is much harder to travel recognizing His thoughts are precious to me and limitless (Psalm 139:17).  God is everywhere.  We can believe it or deny it but this truth remains.  His works are wonderful and my soul knows it  (Psalm 139:14).