Where Oh Where Is God?

Psalm 139:7-10 “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go to the heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me.”

Where can we find God in the midst of life?

The answer: Right in the middle of it!

With each passing day, the temptation to ask the question of God’s presence and His intervention is sometimes impossible to avoid. Do we look for an answer from the Scriptures, or should we look for another?

Where is God?

It’s easy to wonder why the Corona virus keeps lingering. We guess at why it was even allowed to permeate the lives of so many and at this time. Then we turn around and realize, life still goes on. There are deaths and births. There are weddings and divorces. There are good things that happen alongside the traumas of life. It’s like the days of Noah; people were eating, drinking and making merry.

But for those not so ecstatic about what life has thrown their way, there is encouragement for the weary soul. We, as humans, want someone to be present, hold our hand and remind us that everything will work out in the end. We want to be understood, our feelings validated and our psyche stroked, telling us we are OK.

So where is God? He is there. The same place we find Him when there’s an ocean in front and an army behind. We find Him parting seas of impossibility. He’s there in the same place when ferocious lions lick their lips and side eye us as their next meal. He’s shutting their mouths.

We find Him parting seas of impossibility

God is there when the fires of life burn hotter than ever imagined. He can be found walking in the midst of the fire, loosing our chains and making sure we don’t smell like smoke. The God we serve is there when He tells us to cross to the other side and a storm arises out of nowhere. He’s the one walking on water, speaking peace to the winds and waves, and requesting that we step out on faith to experience the wonder of amazing things.

He’s in the heavens, as we stand in awe of His hand bringing blessings we couldn’t imagine. He’s in the face of a child, smiling from ear to ear, just as she bursts out in an uncontrollable laughter. Her giggle box has turned over as she spreads joy through the entire room. He’s there when friends meet, even while social distancing, to drop off much requested supplies and a few baked goods in the form of pound cake. He’s there when your business makes a much needed sale and when the cable bill gets reduced. He’s there in all the high points of life when celebration is the order of the day. Those tea time moments over freshly baked bread shared with the closest of friends; we find God heaping blessings.

He’s there in all the high points of life when celebration is the order of the day. 

God is also there when the void looms large as you lose a loved one. He’s there in the early morning light as you wipe the tears away hiding a broken heart. He’s there when your job isn’t coming back and when there is so much discomfort in attempting a new normal. When you don’t know what to do and every direction seems taxing and unproductive, you’ll find Him. God is there for every low point guiding our feet to higher heights. Those rainy days when you are curled up in the bed blowing up balloons to your pity party; we find Him saying, “after you have suffered a little while…”

God is there for every low point guiding out feet to higher heights

The question of where can we find God is answered in every word, every page, from Genesis to Revelation; He shows up. He’s found in every friend, on every job, and in the face of pretty black boys with dreams in their eyes. A companion ready to celebrate; a confidante eager to advise; a concerned friend with a heart full of compassion; that’s God. A champion, battle ready with authority and power; God is always just a prayer away.

I feel the soulful sounds of Gladys Knight…’If anyone should ever write your life’s story… He’ll be there between each line of pain and glory… Cause He’s the best thing that ever happened to you…’ 

When you are in the waiting room… He shows up!

Soak in His presence today… and Share this message with someone who needs the reminder.

Dr. Chonta T. A. Haynes