One of the things I cherish most about God is the sense that He is with me.  Always.  It’s hard to put words to.  The simplest way I can describe it is a knowing, tangible sense of His presence when I’m awake, and when I’m asleep.  More than the hope that He’ll be there when I need Him; it’s feeling Him in my heart and hearing Him speak to me wherever I go.

          I know, many people will say, ‘Umm, that’s crazy if you think God talks to you’.   I can understand why they may say that, but once you experience that still, small voice speak to your heart, his loving presence (warmth, power, electric floods of joy wash over you), you will never be able to deny His reality. 

          Sure, there have been times when I went astray doing what I know He wouldn’t be pleased with. all the while knowing He’s there with me the whole time.  It’s a strange dichotomy that our human nature presents us with; this willful pride that tells the maker of our soul to ‘bud out’ when we want to do what we want.

          For some reason, though, tonight I’m sensing there may be someone who is reading this who needs to know that God is with you.  You need that loving presence to comfort you and to guide you.  You may be feeling lonely and even empty inside.  Hurts, rejections, failures, and loss have caused you to feel as though God doesn’t care. 

          Many people feel that way.  Life never gets easier, and when we feel like God is far away, it’s even harder.  Be encouraged my friend. He wants you to know that He is always with you.  He sees the heartache, the pain, the rejection, and the loss.  He wants you to know that you are more than just ‘loved’; you are everything to Him. 

          He wants you to know that He’ll never leave you.  The world may reject you, but He never will; no matter what you’ve done. That’s what His grace is all about; the unearned love and acceptance of a loving God.  With His acceptance, through grace, comes his presence too.

          If that’s you, take a few minutes to hide yourself away where you can be alone and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.  Ask Him to speak to your heart and to your mind.  Raise your hands up to Him and ask Him to fill your heart with His presence now, and every day.  Give Him your hurts and lay them at His feet.  He already knows what they are anyway.  He’s just waiting for you to hand them to Him so He can help you carry them.  And, most of all, remember how very very much you are loved my friend…

Brad