“God surrounds us; we swim in God like we swim in oxygen. He is by your side at this very moment, as you read this sentence. Despite this reality — and what a wonderful reality it is — we don’t always feel him near; don’t have a consistent experience of his presence (some people rarely experience his presence). It can be disheartening; I hate that rollercoaster.”- John Eldredge
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”- Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)
In Chapter 12 (“Believe”) of Get Your Life Back, John Eldredge explains the on-again, off-again experience many people go through in their search for God. At times God seems so near. But at other times He seems to have moved elsewhere. As a result, the heart and soul suffer. Of course, seems is the pivotal word. Because God never really vanishes. He’s always near.
However, John believes, we don’t understand what’s happening. He writes:
“We think God either presents himself to us or he doesn’t, according to some rules of the spiritual game we aren’t entirely sure of. So we go about our days waiting for the next appearance, like people who missed the 5:15 train and are milling about until another one arrives. Like stargazers waiting for the next shooting star. Yet God is always here — not only around us but within us (emphasis author’s).”
Above all, John underscores, God’s both around us and within us. Thus, God can’t get any closer! So, the author asks, why do we fail to enjoy the experience of Jesus and His resources on a more consistent basis? Like a lamp that turns on and off without rhyme or reason, we possess a faulty switch. A faulty switch called belief.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help affirm that God surrounds us? That we swim in God like we swim in oxygen? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Drifted out upon an ebbing sea”
