One of the jewels that occupies the treasure chest of my library is a little book titled The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. Brother Lawrence was 17th Carmelite monk, who worked in the monastery’s kitchen. In his little book, Brother Lawrence talks about the presence of God and how that presence for him was as real in the kitchen among his pots and pans as it was in sanctuary when the brothers of his monastery assembled to worship. He wrote, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great a tranquility as if I were upon my knees before the blessed sacrament.”
The truth of the matter is that God’s presence is equally present in all places at once, in church, at home, or at work. Of this omnipresent God, the Psalmist David asked, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Of course, his answer was that there is no place one can flee from the presence of God. If that is so, why is it that some Christians experience more of that presence than others?
Filling the air around us are radio waves that are being sent out by hundreds of radio station transmitters. I cannot see these waves, you cannot see these waves, but they are there. All you need is a receiver by which you can tune into the frequencies of the various radio stations. It is much the same with the presence of God. God’s presence surrounds us; in fact, He could not be any closer to you than He presently is. The question is whether or not our hearts are willing and ready receivers?
Before the invention of radios with a digital dial, one would have to carefully turn the frequency knob to dial in a radio station at its full strength. In fact, there were times when one would get a bit of the stations programming accompanied by a lot of static.
In regard to consciously experiencing the presence of God, there are things that we can do to find the right frequency and enhance the reception, the study of God’s Word, prayer, fellowship with God’s people, and serving one another. Things that hamper clear reception are the many hindrances of the world around us, hindrances that must be resisted if our reception is to be clear.
The fullness of God’s presence and power is equally available to all. But you have to turn your radio on, just as country music great Alfred E. Brumley wrote, “Turn your radio on and listen to the music in the air. Turn your radio on and glory share. Turn the lights down low and listen to the Master’s radio, get in touch with God, turn your radio on.”
Is your radio on?