God is Everywhere

So this Sunday I'm preaching for the first time at the new digs here in Hickory, NC.  I'll be speaking about how God knows us and is always with us, referencing Psalm, 139, particularly verses 7 through 10.  It's believed that Psalm 139 was written after the Israelites' deliverance from exile, and the psalmist writes about God's "inscapable presence" (J. Clinton McCann, Jr.).  What powerful words the psalmist writes: "Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee fro your presence?"  In the midst of the dark days of exile in a strange and hostile foreign land, the psalmist notes that "even darkness is not dark to you..."

And that got me thinking about the darkness in my life.  Sometimes darkness is thrust upon me - a trying time, an injury, concern about friends who were in an accident, etc.  Sometimes I thrust myself into darkness - poor choices, letting myself get anxoius about little things in life, self-doubt, etc.  Yet, even this darkness is not darkness to God.  And if God does not see my 'self-inflicted' darkness as darkness, maybe...just maybe...I don't have to see it as darkness too.  And if I don't see it as darkness, maybe...just maybe...the poor choices will become better choices.  If I believe as God believes - that darkness isn't something I have to be afraid of - I am actively participating in the life into which God invites me.  A life that fights to end poverty and injustices.  A life that includes, not excludes.  A life that leaves a gift to the family of the earth.  A life that helps bring people out of their darkness and into marvelous light. 

So whether our darkness is externally or internally originted, God knows us and is always with us.  God pushes us to look outside the walls of where we are most comfortable.  God will challenge us, no doubt.  But great things can manifest as the result of challenges.  Let us rise to our challenges knowing that God knows us and is everywhere with us.