Having the reality of God’s presence is not dependent on our being in a particular circumstance or place, but is only dependent on our determination to keep the Lord before us continually.
~Oswald Chambers
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am The Way, and The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” … Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father Who dwells in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. … “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in John 14
Oh beloved, it is true.
So much of the world conspires to take us away from the truth of the matter. Everything wants to burst in on our relationship with G_d, and turn it into something that it is not.
Joyful obedience can become religious rule-following.
Awestruck wonder can degrade into hiding fear.
Intimate Love can turn into pleasure-seeking foolishness.
Powerful communion can fall into a dualistic illusion.
Utter abandonment can become a hedging of bets.
Oh, no this is not too mystical. We, like David, can have the Light of our first Love flicker in the fickle winds of the world. Our frame is nothing but dust. We get tired. We get hungry. We get angry. We get betrayed. We get beat around by life. And all of this conspires (in collusion with our own flesh) to take us away from the true place of strength in our lives.
Can we see it?
So often, we see our religion as something that is based on transaction. We see it as something that is based on our behavior. But, in doing this, we get things totally backwards. Oh yes! Living close to our G_d will yield amazing and holy behaviors. But, simply trying to behave better will not get us closer to Him.
It takes something completely easy to see, IF we will allow ourselves to have the vision He he has.
Keep close to Me and you shall know the Way, because, as I said to My disciples, I am the Way. That is the solution to all earth’s problems. Keep close, very close to Me. Think, act, and live in My Presence. How dare any foe touch you, protected by Me! That is the secret of all Power, all Peace, all Purity, all influence, the keeping very near to Me. Abide in Me. Live in My Presence. Rejoice in My Love. Thank and Praise all the time. Wonders are unfolding.
~ Russell, A. J., God Calling
Our faith is not in a set of behaviors. Our faith is not in our honestly trying to get closer to G_d. Our faith is in a Person. But, when we allow it; when we simply look into His eyes – we finally see it. The dynamic is mirrored by the shadow-sense of it when we look into the eyes of spouse or dear friend. We are in Love.
And Love covers a multitude of sins. Love casts out fear. Love makes us concerned for others before ourselves. Our selfish little drivelings and whiny little wants fade into the background. We finally get it.
There is no separation. Nothing can tear us apart. Nothing in all of creation can overcome it. The only thing that can tear me away from the powerful Presence of G_d, is me; my attitudes; my fears; my unwillingness to be drawn into the strength of it all. Love allows the other to draw back. But, Love – true Love – is more powerful than my deepest weakness.
So, are you feeling far from G_d lately? Are you trying to find a way back to Him? Who said you every left? Turn around. Look into His eyes. Everything you have ever been looking for; all the fulfillment and power and hope is there.
In Him.
I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing
~Brother Lawrence
