Where is God in your life?

Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 8:11).

A rabbi once summoned the villagers to meet in the town square for an important announcement. The merchants resented having to leave their businesses. The housewives were annoyed at being interrupted in getting their chores done. But obedient to the summons of their spiritual leader, the townspeople gathered to hear the announcement that their teacher wanted to make. When all were present, the rabbi said, “I wish to announce that there is a God in the world.” That was all he said, but the people understood. While they observed their religious rituals and recited their prayers, their actions did not comply with the commandments of God. They earned and ate their daily bread with little thought and reverence for the Lord.

This parable remains timely for our day. We live in a society that tries to compartmentalize our lives. We are taught to keep what goes on at work separate from what goes on at home, and we try to leave both behind when we go on vacation. We act one way when we are helping a customer, a different way when we are on a date, and a third way when we are at a ball game with friends.

The problem is, we tend to treat God this way as well. We can go to church and receive Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion for the forgiveness of our sins, but the next day we can be shamelessly selling products that are overpriced. We can join together in praying to God to join us for dinner, but the family can be arguing before the meal is over. We set aside time for God, but as soon as that time is over we act as if God isn’t with us anymore.

God wants us to always be aware of Him as we go through our day. In Deuteronomy He says fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 11:18-19). In First Thessalonians 5:17, Paul instructs us to pray continually.

How do we do this? Imagine that you have a best friend who always tags along wherever you go. You might not be talking all the time, but you are comforted by the knowledge that your friend is always there, ready to listen whenever you want to talk about your joys or sorrows. God is like that. Although you cannot see Him, He has promised never will I leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Wherever you go, whatever you do, don’t forget that the Lord is there with you. There is never a moment when you are out if His sight.