Are you a runner? As I’ve said before, I am not. It is nearly killing me trying to get to where I can run a 5K with my son without dying the moment I cross the finish line. I’ve had to overcome some bizarre obstacles along the way, like developing strep in my ankle. It was impossible to run at all for three weeks after I’d only been running for three weeks. I had to start all over again, but I refused to give up.
This past week I was volunteering at a student summer camp, which meant I wasn’t in my normal routine. I was determined to stick to my running schedule, if at all possible.
The terrain was different from where I normally run, many more hills. I was sucking wind early on in the run, so I started looking for anything to capture my attention to keep me going. I noticed a lake to my right. I hadn’t paid attention to it the other days I’d run.
It was there, I just didn’t notice it.
It was hard to see it along the way, because of the various trees in the way. Sometimes I could only see a sliver of it, while at other times I could easily see large portions of it. I finished my run at a big clearing in the trees and I saw a large portion of the lake, however, even then I couldn’t see the whole thing.
God is very similar to the lake. He’s always there, even when we don’t notice Him [Revelation 1:4].
Just like air, God is there.
Our lack of attentiveness doesn’t change His presence in our lives.
God is constant in our ever changing world.
Sometimes we get small glimpses of Him. We may even question if what we saw was God or not. It may be something as simple as catching all green lights on your commute to work when you’re running late or seeing a rainbow after a torrential downpour [Genesis 9:13]. Other times, we clearly see God at work in our lives. He brings provision for us in a timely manner [2 Kings 4:1-7].
No matter how much or how little of God we see actively working in our lives, we will never grasp Him completely [Job 11:7-9, Psalm 145:3]. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13: 12,
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
How much of God do you see today? Do you see Him visibly present in your life or are you wondering if He’s there at all? Whenever you find yourself asking these questions, remember His promise in Deuteronomy 31:8,
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
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