Experiencing God's Presence #256

Experiencing God's Presence #256

He canceled the record of the charges against us.

Colossians 2:14

When it really sinks in just how present God is—that He knows every crevice in creation and even every movement of every atom—our first reaction is often fear, guilt, and shame. After all, if God knows every corner of our hearts, He knows the secrets hidden there. He knows every thought we’ve had, every mistake we’ve made, every flaw we’ve tried to cover up. He sees through the image we put out there for everyone else to see. All the junk in our lives is an open book to Him.

That’s why it’s crucial to know that God removed everything between us and Him. Jesus’ sacrifice actually canceled our sins. He still welcomes us with open arms. He is passionately, relentlessly committed to forgiving us. In spite of all the garbage, He still says, “I want to be with you. I want you to feel my breath and hear my whispers. I want to walk with you and talk with you. Yes, I know everything about you, much more than you know about yourself. And I love you deeply.” There’s nothing—absolutely nothing—standing between us and Him.

Guilt and shame have a unique ability to suffocate our sense of God’s Presence. Refuse to let them. God has done everything to get them out of the way; we undermine His purposes when we hang on to them. Though it goes against our instincts to forget our offenses and assume intimacy—though it feels presumptuous on divine grace—assume intimacy anyway. Deal with issues, but don’t hang on to them. God has already let them go.

Father, it’s hard for me to grasp that there are absolutely no barriers between us. Let that truth sink into my heart, and help me live by it. You have paid an enormous price for our intimacy. I don’t want to waste a moment of opportunity to experience You.