Daily Self Growth Journal Pt. IV

A Proximate God

“If God had wanted to be a big secret, He would not have created babbling brooks and whispering pines.”  Robert Brault

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.  Psalm 19:1-6

Proximate:  “very near”  Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Sometimes being with God can be frustrating.  We’re just trying to have a quiet moment with the Creator and the cat won’t stop scratching the couch.  The dog wants outside.  The dog barks a someone walking down the street.  The baby cries.  The kids need to get ready for school.  We need to get ready for work.  Oh and...  The list continues.  Where’s God?  And how can I get to Him?  Couldn’t God, if all this creation declares His glory, quiet the kid and the cat and the dog?  Couldn’t God set aside a few minutes for us to be with us?  Couldn’t He simply make Himself proximate when we need Him?  But God doesn’t always seem near.  Sometimes it seems like He doesn’t care to be with us.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem natural to be with Him.  Let alone praise Him.  And what kind of relationship would it take to be able to praise Him in any situation?  Does God mess up in His relationship with us?  Is He sometimes less attentive than He should be?  Does He forget about the quality time we need with Him?  Does He sometimes leave us with some sort of heavenly babysitter so He can get a break from us?  Sometimes it can seem that way.  Sometimes you just want to throw up your arms and watch some TV.  Sometimes praying seems contrived and trivial.  Sometimes it’s tempting to just give up.  Indeed there will be times when a quiet moment with God won’t be possible.  There will be times when distractions will keep us from prayer.  In those moments there is His word.  Pick up the Bible and start reading.  When something comes up, put it down, take care of business, then pick it back up again.  Memorize it.  There will be times when we’re not able to physically read the Bible.  Driving is never a good time to read.  It doesn’t matter that we may be reading the Word of God Himself.  However, sometimes we need His word the most when it’s not a possibility to read.  In those times it’s good and helpful to know Scripture.  God is always proximate to us.  We may not always feel or appreciate Him.  But He is always near.  Sometimes the distance we feel between ourselves and God is a product of our lives.  We want Him to speak to us, forgetting that He gave us His Word.  We want Him to speak to us, but we’re uninterested in what He’s said.  We want Him to speak to us, having been too lazy to remember anything He’s spoken.  Maybe God isn’t the problem with our relationship?  Maybe God would like for us to take advantage of the quiet times to be with Him, instead of expecting Him to make a quiet time when we’re overwhelmed?  Maybe we’re the ones failing?  Next time we get a chance, let’s try to memorize a verse.  Next time we get a chance, let’s talk to the Lord about what we’re feeling.  And it’s ok to yell.  Next time it’s quiet, let’s be thankful for the moment and be with Him.  There’s always a way to be with God when we’ve prepared our hearts and minds.  Let’s be thankful for that. 

Daily Journaling Questions:

How did I help someone in kindness today?

What did I learn today?

What am I thankful for?

Who did I love today?

What am I dreaming of?

What about today do I want to remember forever?

What are my goals for tomorrow?

Thanks for reading,

Jake