Heaven + Earth

If you’ve been around church and Christian ministry long enough I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before. It’s usually used in a context something like, “Man, the service this morning was rolling along, business as usual, announcements, music, blah blah blah. Then we launched into that 3^rd chorus of ‘How Great Thou Art’ and GOD SHOWED UP!”

…as if God wasn’t already there. As if He wasn’t always there. Consider what David says in Psalm 139:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” – Psalm 139: 7-12

Or what about the promise of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20b

God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at once. He is with you in church on Sunday, every Sunday. He’s with you at work, at school, at play, as you drive your car, walk your dog, take a nap…He’s even with you when you’re doing the secret things you wish He didn’t know about. The point is, He’s always there, and so He always shows up!

But we don’t always show up…

Sure, our bodies are there, filling the pews or comfortable church chairs, breathing, watching, listening, but our thoughts and our spirit are often somewhere else entirely. We take our cues from the pulpit and do as we’re told, we say “hi” to a few neighbours during the welcome time, we stand and sing the songs with crossed arms and expressionless faces, then we sit down, lean back and check out. We wish we were still in bed, we think about a sick loved one, we worry about the kids, we plan the afternoon chores, or maybe we even text or play video games on our cell phones. We do just about anything except actively engage in worshipping God and listening - I mean really listening – to His Word. I know. I’ve been there. And to my shame, sometimes when I’m not leading, I do it too. And we wonder why God’s Spirit seems sadly absent many Sundays.

Here’s a thought. On those Sundays when it really feels like God showed up, when the air feels heavy and we’re overcome with emotion as we sing, as we pray. When it seems like the speaker is shooting word-shaped laser beams straight from the pulpit to the centre of our hearts…maybe, just maybe, it’s because we’re finally, authentically engaging with the power of the Living God that is always there, omnipresent, everywhere, forever. Maybe, just maybe, we’ve decided to take God at His word when He tells us in James 4:8

Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Maybe, just maybe, we’re the ones who’ve decided to show up and realize that God is already here, waiting, eager to pour out His Spirit on those who seek after Him with all of their heart, mind, soul, body and strength.

So where were you this Sunday? Did you place yourself firmly in the presence of the Almighty as you worshiped Him completely? Or did you bring your body to church and leave your heart, mind and soul in bed? Never forget that the choice is yours. God has already made His choice and it will stand for eternity. His choice is you. Will you choose Him this week?