GOD IS HERE!
What we are most eagerly searching for often lies so close to us that we could reach out and touch it. I’m reminded of the speech Russell Conwell gave at Temple University in Philadelphia, entitled, “Acres of Diamonds.
It is the same with God. I believe we have a hard time realizing just how close God is to us. This is what Paul was saying in Acts 17 when he spoke to the men of Athens on Mars Hill. He could see how close they were to discovering the presence of God as he walked through their city. He had seen the evidence of their search for the eternal in their temples of Diana and Apollo. He had seen all the idols to all the gods, even an idol to “The Unknown God,” just in case, they missed one. They were so close, yet so far away. But in spite of all their achievements, they still had not found God. They were not satisfied, even with the most beautiful sculptures, and all the wise sayings of the greatest philosophers. They had looked everywhere, turning over ever stone.
Here’s the question we need to ask ourselves: Are we any different? We live in a golden age of computers, space travel, techniques in medicine the ancient world never dreamed of; engineering feats never believed possible. We, too, have our philosophers and artists. We, too, are looking for the ultimate, for answers to our questions, and boy, do we have questions. Why is it we will try anything but God to find satisfaction? We’re always looking for something that will fill that emptiness in our heart when the answer is right here all the time. So near we can touch it.
The psalmist describes God in Psalm 139 as being an arm length away. Jesus taught us that He’s no further than bowing our heads and saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven…” The song writer wrote, “He’s as close as the mention of His name.” Another song writer said, “He was there all the time.” The unknown poet wrote about the footprints in the sand. His very name means, “God with us.” But if you really want to know just how close God is look at Acts 17:28 again, “For in him we live and move and have our being” (NIV). In reality, we can’t avoid Him.
What does this mean? It means joy is here because God is here. Peace is here because God is here. It means you are not alone with your problems and your pain. God is with you.
All you have to do is say, “Yes, God” and live every day in the knowledge that He is present with you.
That’s my view of things.