Wherever You Are, There the Lord Will Also Be
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. – Matthew 28:20
I’ve always been a beach girl. Claiming this praiseworthy place is where I feel closest to God. “You can have the mountains,” I would say. “Take me to the heavenly abyss of sparkling emerald water and crystal white sand.”
And then last week happened.
After being financially forced to cancel our fall break vacation to the beautiful beaches of the Florida Panhandle, my parents generously blessed my family with an invite to a five-night getaway to East Tennessee. 100% their treat to a large mountain cabin tucked away in the peaks of the Smoky Mountains.
And in reflection, I have to report: not only was it divine, but I felt God just as close there as when I had the privilege to soak in his creation on the seashore. And here’s why: I was looking for him. I wanted desperately to see him, feel him, and experience the peace of his presence and beauty. And because he’s always there, and I opened my eyes, I saw.
The very first morning, when I woke to prepare my coffee for my daily devotion time, I found myself in conversation with my mom about what we’d been reading. She shared an insight into a book that made her more aware of the constant surrounding of the enemy of our soul, relentlessly competing for our attention and distracting us from God.
And suddenly, it became clear to me. The sneaky enemy had loved that I was a self-proclaimed beach girl, convincing myself I could only be that close to God 600 miles from home. A distance that wasn’t practical to visit frequently. A place that I could rarely be, and so became more and more discontent with wherever else I was. Be it the mountains, city, or even my hometown.
But it hit me. I was being deceived. I had been deceived for years. And if you also think you can only experience intimacy with God under certain circumstances and in specific surroundings, you’re being deceived, too.
Before I poured my coffee that morning and set out for my quiet time on the sprawling balcony overlooking the continual sea of sloping mountainsides, I was subconsciously skeptical that my moments could match the serenity and stillness that would have been sure to swell in my soul at the sites and sounds of the ocean. But after my chat with Mom, I recognized the skeptical walls and blinders as the deceiving assaults of Satan that they were and acknowledged the shield of God surrounding me and the ever-present existence of the spirit within me.
I sat and opened my heart and eyes to his presence. I looked and saw the bright orange and red trees sprinkled among the rich wall of forest green. I noticed the creatively carved-out contrast of perfect sky blue against the varying depths and heights of a mountain scape. I heard stillness in the whisper of falling leaves and trace echoes of squirrels scurrying on branches. I opened my soul, I looked, I listened close, and I saw God’s beautiful creation. I found him right where I was. And I kept my gaze his way through the remaining week. And God's beauty and presence were always there. Even when my view wasn’t pristine perfection.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The same is true for you and me right now, no matter where we find ourselves. I’m not sure where you are and what you’re going through. But I do know this. God is just as much with you in the valley as on top of the majestic mountains. Deep in the dark seas of life, as sitting in the serenity of the sunshine on the shore. Yes, his beauty is just as present when you’re peering out a sterile hospital room window, staring at nothing but buildings against the gray sky, or sitting in a run-down house on a rainy day, as it is oohing and aahing over the “picture-perfect.”
But the enemy wants to distract you, telling you that you need this or that, or to be here or there to experience goodness, love, and light. And that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Because God is always beaming and bright everywhere you are.
Don’t be fooled like I was that the rich love and light of the Lord can only be found and felt in perfect scenes and settings. God is everywhere. And we will find him wherever and whenever we swallow our pride, still our minds, soften our souls, open our eyes, and open our hearts.
Take time today to acknowledge the spirit of God in you. Look hard for the specks of beauty he has placed around you. Let him fill you right where you are. Because wherever you are, there he will surely also be.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Helena Cook
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