God's Coaching #166

God's Coaching #166

Michael Chang never possessed the fastest serve, the greatest backhand, or the nastiest topspin. But he sure seemed to be everywhere on a tennis court at once. Michael, a former professional tennis player, played on the ATP World Tour from 1988 to 2003, a period that is often referred to as “The Greatest Generation” of American players, thanks to superstars such as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Jim Courier.

But the smallish Michael (he stood five feet nine inches and weighed 160 pounds) held his own, thanks to a strong all-around game and lightning-quick speed. At age 17 he became the youngest Grand Slam winner ever when he won the 1989 French Open. Over his illustrious career, he won 33 more tournaments and reached the No. 2 ranking in the world. In 2008, Michael was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

What’s the Score?

Michael, of course, couldn’t be everywhere at once. He was human. But there is Someone—and only one person—who can be everywhere at once: God. God is not confined by time or space. He is omnipresent, which means he exists everywhere in the universe all at once. We see this when God asked the prophet Jeremiah, “Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24).

Think about any place on earth, and God is there. Think about any planet or star in the universe. God is there, too. (Is this hard to understand? It’s okay. This is a deep theological concept.) How is God omnipresent? Well, as the creator of time and space, he also rules over time and space. By understanding this important concept, it helps us worship God for how awesome he really is. It helps us understand his creation better. It gives us comfort knowing that God is always near. It lets us know there is nowhere we can flee from God (just ask Jonah). And it provides a needed perspective on how small we are and how big God is. God truly exists everywhere, and that’s great news!

On the Ball

Besides today’s passage from Jeremiah, Psalm 139 also speaks of God’s omnipresence. Memorize verses 7-10 in Psalm 139.

Coach’s Comment

“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-24