Presence

Her eyes sparkle up at me, but I don’t see it.

She wants to be with mom.

I miss the slight shrug of her shoulders and the way her head falls in disappointment.

Despite being made of glass, the 6-inch screen in my hand is not translucent. 

It blocks the things I forget we need.

Real words, spoken out loud, and emotions that run deeper than a like button.

Human laughter and the kind of companionship that welcomes silence.

Instinctively, I know this.

It’s complicated though.

Because scrolling scratches the itch.

It tricks me into thinking that there is something better beyond the edge of the screen.

Something just past my reach.

The notifications are hard to ignore. 

They scream “I see you!” and “You matter!” 

But in the end, I am left hollow and alone.

Always searching.

Clicking incessantly.

Looking for life in a device when life is standing right in front of me.

———-

The Father’s presence was so near, yet Adam and Eve took it for granted.

They wanted what they wanted.

The God of the Universe walked with them, talked with them, and still they missed the point.

Despite being just one forbidden option in a garden full of promise, the fruit proved too enticing. 

It blinded them to their real need.

To be fully seen, intimately known and extravagantly loved by their Creator.

To love God and to know Him more and more, learning to see things as they truly are.

Instinctively, they must have sensed this.

It was complicated though.

Because getting your own way can feel like freedom.

We’re tricked into thinking that the grass is greener on the other side.

That there’s something better just beyond our reach.

The lies are hard to ignore. 

They scream “Did God really say that?” and “You’ll never be enough.”

In the end, we are left alone and hollow.

Always masking.

Posturing clumsily.

Looking to any and everything but God when He’s been there from the beginning.

———-

Sin barred the people from God’s presence, but His love would not be deterred.

“You will be my people, and I will be your God.”

The problem was, they didn’t see the problem. Weren’t nearly ready to embrace the Answer.

So God helped them see. For a thousand years, He helped them see. 

A complex system of animal sacrifices and ritual purity showed humanity the depth of its need.

The need to be thoroughly cleansed from wrongdoing, guilt and blame—no more reason to hide. 

For a fresh start. A new heart—free to run right into God’s presence unafraid and unashamed.

Instinctively, they must have wanted this.

But it was complicated.

Because it feels easier to trust yourself than a God you can’t see.

We’re tricked into thinking that we can make it on our own.

That what we need is within our own reach.

The lies are hard to ignore. 

They scream “My way is better!” or “He’ll never be enough.”

In the end, we are left alone and hollow.

Always striving.

Building frantically.

Looking to ourselves for what only God can provide.

———-

Humanity stumbled under the weight of trying and failing, yet God did not despair.

“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.”

He saw our sagging shoulders, our eyes downcast and full of dejection.

And despite being the King of Heaven, Jesus became one of us. 

He answered our greatest need.

Loving when we couldn’t, obeying when we wouldn’t—even to the point of death on a cross.

The resurrected Savior bought us Eden’s choice once more: God’s presence or our own way. 

Instinctively, we know this.

It’s all very simple now.

He really is all that we need.

Apart from Jesus, there is nothing worth anything at all.

And anything we could ever want is found in Him and through Him. Our existence is for Him.

In the light of His gaze, lesser things become easy to ignore. 

In the quiet place, He whispers: “I see you!” and “You matter to me!”

“You are not alone. I’ve been planning this moment for a long, long time …

… pursuing you relentlessly.

Look to Me. Right here. Right now. You’ll find that I am everything you’ve been searching for.”

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”–Psalm 16:11