God is everywhere. Christians eagerly affirm that profound theological truth. Some may even toss around the term “omnipresent” if they’re feeling particularly sophisticated. Yet acknowledging a truth intellectually isn’t the same as putting it into action. As Christians, are we experiencing God’s presence in our daily life?
We may assert that God is everywhere, but our language and behavior often reveal that we haven’t truly allowed that belief to penetrate our heart. Perhaps you’ve seen a minister petition God from the pulpit to join the worship service that morning. Maybe you’ve heard people say, “We’re trusting that God will show up in a big way at our outreach event this weekend!”
But was God’s presence ever in doubt? When we ask God to “show up,” are we worried he accidentally double-booked himself? Are we concerned that he might be delayed by rush-hour traffic? Where do we expect God to be if not among a gathering of his children?
God Is Already Present
God is everywhere. The Bible is clear that “he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Scripture asserts that “where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20). If God is everywhere, then he doesn’t need to be induced to join us. He’s already waiting for us when we arrive! He doesn’t need to “show up,” because he was never absent. In fact, he’s been at work since long before we entered the scene. God isn’t like a flighty bird who’s there one moment and gone the next. He’s like a steadfast, unshakeable mountain that towers over us in all we do.
Draw Near to God
Why don’t we always experience God’s presence in this way? When God seems distant, we may wonder whether he has withdrawn. But our awareness of his presence is not the measure of his faithfulness. The Bible says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
God doesn’t need us to coax him to join us. He’s already present and waiting for us to accept his invitation to draw near to him. It’s not God who needs to “show up.” It’s us. We may be physically present in the church sanctuary and yet spiritually disoriented from God. We may feel that God is distant, but the beautiful truth is that he’s not, nor will he ever be. Draw near to him, and he will draw near to you.
Recognize God in Everyday Life
If he’s everywhere, then we should be able to experience God’s presence anywhere. God is just as present in the small, unassuming moments as he is on the mountaintop. Experiencing God’s presence does not always involve a powerful emotion or a dramatic encounter. Not every encounter with God will involve a burning bush. After all, even Moses only got one of those. But the same powerful God who spoke through the burning bush is alive and at work today.
God is everywhere. Do you believe that? More importantly, are you personally experiencing God’s presence? If not, don’t ask God to “show up.” Instead, ask him to open your spiritual eyes to his presence all around you.
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