‘As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?’ Psalms 42:1-2 (NLT)
‘But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.’ Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)
‘If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ‘ Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
‘“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ‘ Luke 11:9 (NLT)
Like the deer, I do find myself panting for God, longing for His presence. I’m hungry, thirsty for His love, direction, and comfort. I love the imagery of this Psalm which has stood the test of time: like a deer urgently panting for water.
Yet He is here.
The good news is that our God is not far off. From the very beginning, Christians have declared that the Creator is not only transcendent but immanent. In His transcendence, God is perfect, whole, other. This means we cannot grasp or tame Him, we cannot overpower or domesticate him. Yet God is also immanent: crucially, palpably present. Wherever we go, all we must do is lift our faces, hold out our hands, or take in a breath—and find Him here with us. God has promised that when we seek Him, we will find Him.
Today, step outside, into His Creation, and take a deep breath. Let your heart and mind seek for God, right here in the world He made.
He is here.
from All Shall Be Well: Awakening To God’s Presence