Presence

Do you remember "roll call" in grade school?... 

Unlike this famous missing student- Ferris Bueller... God is not absent. He is present.

If you look up the synonyms for "presence," there you will find the word- "attendance." Do you picture your relationship with God- his presence in your life- like the scene above? Are you taking "attendance," and finding He's no where to be found? Or is he taking attendance and you are un-engaged, tuned out, and completely unaware of His voice and call? 

And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Ezekial 22:30)

(May I be attentive, and wide awake to your presence and desires, God.) 

Psalm 31

How great is the goodness

    you have stored up for those who fear you.

You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,

(May I come running to YOU for protection and safety before running to my own bag of tricks and resources. May I believe that you are the shield I belong behind, covered. You have far more strength than I can ever muster up.)  

1 Corinthians 1:25
This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Psalm 31
  You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
 blessing them before the watching world.

    safe from those who conspire against them.

You shelter them in your presence,

    far from accusing tongues.

(Your presence is a haven...a safe guard...a home. May I live and dwell there.) 

Psalm 17

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

(May I seek you even when I don't feel you. May I quiet down to tune in, even when you speak in ways you haven't before. May I not grow religious but grow more intimate and aware of your voice/response. May I not fear or dismiss the desire to call out to you.)

Psalm 17

Show me the wonders of your great love,

    you who save by your right hand

    those who take refuge in you from their foes.

 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

    hide me in the shadow of your wings

 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

    from my mortal enemies who surround me.

(In a time of great delight and enjoyment and excitement of new adventures... God, keep me. Safeguard me. May I encamp in your fortress- where I can live and worship and move and breath and rest easy. Thank you that you release me to battle and watch me with great attention. Thank you that you pull me back and hide me when its beyond these capabilities. What I can't see-> opposition that I am unaware of right now, won't you keep me from it. Guide me strong. For I believe you know the way!)

Grace