God is Near

As we journey  towards Pentecost away from the Ascension, we are going to consider the nearness of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and do this through the eyes of poets.  Today we start with Christina Rossetti (1830-1894); God Made Known.

Lord, grant us calm, if calm can set forth thee;

Or tempest, if a tempest set thee forth;

Wind from the east or west or south or north,

Or congelation of a silent sea,

With stillness of each tremulous aspen tree

Still let fruit fall, or hang upon the tree;

Still let the east and west, the south and north,

Curb in their winds, or plough a thundering sea;

Still let the earth abide to set thee forth,

Or vanish like a smoke to set forth thee.

Psalm 145:18 “ The LORD is near to all who call on him in truth.”

Elsewhere in scripture we are assured of the nearness of God in the most dire of situations. In 1 Kings 19:11-13 we read, “The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Two followers of Christ who lived centuries apart, share the belief in the closeness of God. The first, Meister Eckhart 1260 – 1328), a German theologian, philosopher and mystic, writes “I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.” 

The second, Sarah Christmyer, a contemporary Catholic author, Bible teacher, and speaker “God doesn’t have visiting hours, neither does he sleep. He’s there whenever we need him.” 

A Prayer
Lord, let nothing separate me from you today and help me to draw closer to you through your word. Teach me how to choose only you and direct my steps that lead me closer to you. Help me to overcome temptations that might take me away from the right path. Protect me from misleading thoughts and keep me away from that which may direct me to the wrong path. Keep me close to you Lord. Amen.