‘Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord . “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord .’ Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NLT)
‘I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ‘ Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)
‘“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ‘ Matthew 6:25-26 (NLT)
‘Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ‘ James 1:17 (NLT)
Once, when we were on a trip to the beach with my parents, my kids kept asking, “Where are we?” and, “Are we there yet?”
My father said, “We are right where we are to be. Where else would we be?” He’s right. By remembering that we’re right where we’re to be, maybe we can finally understand that life isn’t meant to be rushed through. Maybe we can finally stop overextending ourselves in order to prove ourselves worthy because the most important thing is to appreciate the now.
I did that for too long—that chaotic shuffle for approval, the forgetting to be right where I am—and I grew tired of it. I suspect you’re tired of it.
Now, being right where I am to be means listening to our ducks quack and watching the deer and children play. These are small. but essential steps.
Sure, I might have shoes discarded in my yard and too many papers piled on the counter. My list might be long, just like yours. Yes, I still might overextend myself, saying yes instead of no, like I’m sure you sometimes do, but I’m learning to take the time to look at what this life really is.
It begins with noticing the seemingly ordinary moments of life, the washing of the eggs or even staring out a window at construction equipment. Seeing these small things as a way to see God everywhere is a way to welcome holiness and to see the life you’ve been given as good enough. It’s all around, in the end, but we need to start by seeing it in our own places, right where we’re to be.
from Everywhere Holy by Kara Lawler