Where Did You See God Today?

 

Most people believe in God. But many people have only a God “out there.” They have never opened themselves to the God who dwells within. To people with this problem, God seems somehow remote, unconcerned about their everyday cares and concerns. They have never seen God as a living presence in their lives. A story is told of a mother who, rather than asking her children the question: “How was your day?” did something much more helpful. As she tucked her children into bed each night, she asked them this question: “Where did you see God today?” In answer to her question about where they met God, they would answer, one by one: “A teacher helped me; there was a homeless person in the park; I saw a tree with lots of flowers on it.” After they finished telling her where they had met God that day, she would tell them where she met God, too.

 

What a grand exercise. We meet Christ everywhere when Christ dwells within us. We can face tomorrow because Christ loves us and Christ is with us. But note one thing more, Christ says, “Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them he is the one who loves me.” The love we have in Christ is not a sentimental, feel-good experience that says we are free to do our own thing.

 

Love for Christ is expressed through obeying his commands. We are like soldiers in Christ’s army in the war against every form of sin and injustice. That is what gives our lives meaning and purpose. On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. The obedience that the soldier gives to those in command often puts our obedience to Christ to shame. Capt. James Key, US Army Chaplain, wrote some words which were carried in USA TODAY. “I served as chaplain for a 600 soldier logistics battalion in Baghdad. These soldiers had to deliver supplies along the most dangerous routes. When bombs exploded, the reality of war forced many to do some serious soul searching… I am back home in the states now, a safe distance away from the death and war that challenge many servicemen and women in ways most people in our country will never fully understand. One evening, a casualty officer and I drove down the road on our way to inform a soldier’s spouse that her husband had died. As an Army chaplain, I thought about how difficult it would be for this young mother and how empty the two children’s lives would be without their dad. We should pause as a nation and think about the men and women who continue to fight and die in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan. It is true that war is hell, freedom is expensive, death is painful and faith still matters especially to those in the foxhole.”

Jesus put it like this, “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus is our friend. He lay down his life for us. Because he lives, we can face tomorrow.

Go with God,

Pastor Qualley