Over the years I have had incredible opportunities to see what God is going in other parts of the world. Every single time I come back in awe of my personal attitude living in the states and get so disgusted with myself for everything I take for granted. Not having to walk everywhere. A smartphone. Netflix. A fridge with food. Walmart to go get more food. Washer machine and dryer. I recall a time specifically we were handing out clothes and I look over to the side to see a younger boy with his new shirt on just feeling it. I could not help but think of all the times I have done that; I could not think of a single time. I go to my dresser which holds countless shirts I never wear or the dryer if I don’t find one that suits me for whatever petty reason, throw it on, and walk out the door. I’m guessing you do about the same.

There is an aspect to worship in these other countries we’ve served in that is unlike anything I’ve experienced in the states. The most vivid example was in Haiti before the devastating earthquake. We were helping with a revival only a few miles away, 10-15, but it took a bit longer than an hour to get to. We set up and they took over with worship and speaking which we did not understand and went on forever. As long as all that lasted, it did not have the feeling of dragging on forever and you’re just wondering when it is going to end. During worship, the earth literally started to shake from all the dancing and worship. The preaching, though we did not understand the vast majority of it, had an energetic feel and there was a feeling and an atmosphere that cannot be created or manipulated.

There is a fine line churches must be careful of between forcing this kind of atmosphere, and doing things to allow God to show up and do something awesome! But that’s not the problem. The church gathering is only going to be as great as the Church, that is the people and their spiritual life. I am fully convinced that the reason worship was so incredible was on top of that mountain in Haiti was because people swam through rivers, walked for miles, and went to extreme lengths to be there. No one showed up because they were supposed to were concerned what others would think, but because they wanted to gather with believers and pour everything they had out to God.

Satan is great at using things, both good and bad things, to keep us busy and distracted from the great thing, daily being in the presence of God. Being in the presence of God is one of those things, like having a clean shirt, is so incredibly easy to get used to and familiar with that we simply do not recognize it for what it is; being in the presence of God who created the universe and everything in it. Christ took our place on the cross so we can enjoy being with God and we do not have to wait until we die. It is an incredible privilege to wake up in the presence of God, eat breakfast, go to work, be home with family, and do everything in the presence of almighty God. Be still and rest in His presence.

In Carolyn Gratton’s book The Art of Spiritual Guidance, she tells this story. “It seems that there once were some fish who spent their days swimming around in search of water. Anxiously looking for their destination, they shared their worries and confusion with each other as they swam. One day they met a wise fish and asked him the question that had preoccupied them for so long: ‘Where is the sea?’ The wise fish answered: ‘If you stop swimming so busily and struggling so anxiously, you would discover that you are already in the sea. You need look no further than where you already are.’” Could it be that the process of spiritual formation is simply becoming aware that God is everywhere and then learning how to be with him? Simply learning to be in the presence of the Divine Love? We must practice the spiritual disciplines in order to fully realize and appreciate constantly dwelling in the presence of God.