September 18

The Practice Of God's Presence

Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? — Ps 139:7 BSB

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. — Ps 139:9-10 BSB

The story of Brother Lawrence is well known. In the sixteenth century, one winter day, as Brother Lawrence walked through a forest, he stood beneath a tree stripped of its leaves. Suddenly, the thought struck him that in a short time, that same tree would be covered with the leaves and beauty of spring. “Then God must be here,” he thought, and his entire being became awestruck with the awareness of God’s presence. From that moment on, he carried this awareness throughout his life, saying that he felt more of God’s presence while working in the kitchen than when kneeling before the Sacrament.

It is a blessed experience when the soul lives in constant awareness of God. When we live, move, and have our being in Him, no matter where we are—whether we soar with the morning light to the western sea or descend into the valley of death. Let us read Psalm 139 again, remembering that our Lord said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The habit of practicing God’s presence is developed when we learn to draw on His divine resources. Consider two outstanding examples—Abraham’s faithful servant and Nehemiah. Abraham’s servant lifted his heart to God for guidance in choosing a wife for Isaac. Nehemiah, between the king’s question and his reply, shot up a quick prayer to God for the right words, and God gave them to him. Why don’t we, in every moment of uncertainty, temptation, or doubt, instantly claim the equivalent of God’s gracious help?

Prayer

Gracious Spirit, please enable us by Your grace to live in the fear of God all day long. Let the difficulties and temptations we face each day lead us to take every step with an awareness of God's presence. Amen.