Living in the Spirit
November 19, 2020
Scripture Reading: Psalm 95:1-7a
O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Reading this scripture made me wonder where is God in my life right now? I have been in survival mode for two weeks since a major ice storm struck. I was left with no electricity for 11 days and still no internet. Forced out of my comfort zones of normality, I probably functioned like the person in the story of the footprints in the sand*. You remember the story. A person noted that she was walking with God where two sets of footprints were apparent then suddenly there was only one set. She asked God something to the effect, “Where were you when I needed you?” God’s simply responded, “I was carrying you”.
The scripture above implores us to Come into God’s presence. Is not that a call to recognize God’s presence? Two years ago, on a cold, wet day with rain turning into sleet, I finalized the purchase of a new car. It was not going to be ready that evening. Having traded in my car the dealer would not allow me to drive it home. I was graciously provided a nice loaner and after a few quick instructions. I headed home in rush hour traffic just as the ice and sleet hit. I prayed every inch of the way. How hard did I need to press the brake? How did I turn on the windshield wiper? Careful, that car ahead just skidded of the road. After eight treacherous miles, I pulled under my carport, put the car in park, laid my head on the steering wheel and praised God for God’s presence.
A dangerous thirty-minute drive is one thing, living with a pandemic for several months and with several more months to come is another. Perseverance and intestinal fortitude will be required to make it through this crisis particularly when it is exacerbated by other calamity and a major change in our national leadership. Recognizing the constant presence of God is imperative. This is a time to seek God’s guidance in working toward good outcomes and perhaps even better ways of being the Body of Christ in the world today.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your abiding presence. Amen.
*See https://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/38987.html
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.