“Most of us move through our days without a full sense of the presence of God. Of course we do. We’re human. We are practical atheists, scrounging for love, or self-resilient, head down and barreling through a to-do list only to awaken to the presence in moments when our Bible is open or on Sunday mornings when a hymn surprises us awake.”- Summer Joy Gross
“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake, I am still with you.”- Psalm 139:17 (NIV)
Summer Joy Gross concludes Chapter 7 of The Emmanuel Promise as she counsels that someone else’s certainty must never preempt our wrestling with doubt. Rather, good Christian friends provide hospitality for our doubt. Because that allows doubt to transform into faith at its own pace.
Therefore, Summer observes, we long for a reminder of God’s presence outside of ourselves — an ebenezer. Above all, throughout the Old Testament God provided object constancy. Visuals of His presence, such as:
- the Shekinah glory.
- a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
- the burning bush.
Thus, the passage of time — a long decrescendo — fails to minimize the Bread of Life. Jesus was present in the past, and He is present now.
In conclusion, Summer explains, invitation fills the silence:
“When we’re in that deep slumber, we believe in the lie of separation. We believe we’re alone, place on earth to pickaxe our way through our days, grasping for provision, mining for love. We miss the truth that the God who made the universe is actively pursuing our hearts, carrying the cross on His shoulders. . . . He has been fighting our separation from day one.”
So, remember the truth of Emmanuel’s constant presence. He’s near, always in the room turned toward you.
Today’s question: When do you notice fellow Christ followers moving through their days as practical atheists? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “He holds hope, we hold questions”
