Finding God's PresenceSýnishorn

1) Head for the hills and listen for His voice there.

“Who needs church? I encounter God in the mountains!”

(I live an hour from the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada, and this is a common refrain.)

You might expect a pastor like me to get defensive and respond with the necessity of church (which we will get to later this week…).

However, I think it’s better to agree before we disagree.

The Psalmist writes, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God…day after day they pour forth (His) speech” (Psalm 19:1-2).

In my city (and yours), people are drawn to nature, and they really do experience a God they often can’t name there.

I’m glad—and I also pray they learn His name.

I’ll never forget a theology class in which my professor affirmed that God speaks through and is present in nature, but then suddenly turned my world upside down.

I started “getting away” into nature to encounter God soon after I learned to drive. I’d sit alone for hours out in Creation, and God would meet me and speak to me in the mountains. I felt like nature was where I could easily encounter God, and I thought the rush and people of daily life were actually obstacles to walking closely with God.

My professor affirmed that we encounter God in Creation, but then he said this:

“You’ll encounter God in nature, but I don’t know why more people don’t go to the mall to encounter God.”

The mall!?! That den of thieving consumerism?!

He continued, “We often try to get away from people into nature to encounter God, but God is revealed more clearly through people than trees. God often speaks through those people’s lives, actions, and words. Go to the mall if you want to see Him and hear His voice.”

Men, here are two ways you could think about and seek the presence of God this week:

1)Head for the hills and listen for His voice there.

2) Go to a mall…or Costco…on Saturday afternoon! Ask God to show you how He’s present in and speaking through those people and what they’re doing.

Nature is full of God’s presence. And human beings are made in the image of God and are the crown jewel of His Creation.

I pray you have eyes to see the God who is always with us, whether at the mall, home, or the mountains.

Prayer: God, help me to see! I believe; help me in my unbelief. Heal these blind eyes and soften this hard heart so I may encounter You everywhere I go. Teach me to expect to encounter You at the mall and in the mountains alike. You’re awesome and good. Amen.

Reflection: Ask God to remind you of times you’ve encountered Him in unexpected places like Costco or at the mall and of various ways He’s spoken to or guided you there. Look at your schedule over the next day and ask God to show you how He’s present in each place you’ll go and activity you’ll take part in.