154: Remember Where God Is
Where did you see or experience God?
It’s a common question, particularly for those of us who appreciate different forms of reflection in life and faith. We might ask it at the end of a day, a month or a year. We might ask it after a retreat or a trip. We might consider it as we simply seek to remember the goodness and faithfulness of God all throughout our lives. It’s a question that has been a kind companion in my own life, and a question I’ll continue to hold onto.
One thing it requires, though, is reflection. Looking back. And while it can certainly be helpful to ask it in the present, its answer will be something from the past. It could be something from the very recent past, but still, it’s a past tense question. Now, I’m a huge proponent of past tense questions—after all, if you been around for a bit, the spiritual practice of remembrance and reflection is laced all throughout so many episodes of this very podcast. It’s a good question and definitely has its place.
And. There’s another, similar question I’ve heard a lot recently as I’ve spent time with friends and as I’m in conversation with others in spiritual direction. I’m learning it’s one we might not always ask with our out-loud voice, yet it’s a question many of us hold nonetheless. The question is this:
Where is God?
I don’t know if you noticed, but this is a present tense question. And I find it often comes to mind when things are not going so well. It seems it is asked as a desperate plea. When the difficult diagnosis isn’t cured, when the prayer remains unanswered, when the loneliness is unbearable, when tragedy strikes, when a person or people are treated as “less than,” when war wages on, when our hearts are broken, when there is no end in sight. In circumstances like these, Where is God is a reasonable question.
Because, I don’t know about you, but when I experience circumstances like those, I want to know that God is with me, right here. That God cares, right now. That I am not alone in the middle of the present struggle. Yes, I can always take the time to look back and remember the ways in which I have experienced the nearness of God before. Of course I can. I often do.
And, it never hurts to be reminded in the right here, right now.
A couple years ago, I was in Wichita, KS attending a spiritual formation conference. During those few days, we focused in on what it means for all of us and each of us to become more like Jesus. If Jesus were living my present life, how would he act? What would he do? What would he care about? How would he treat others? And how might I take on that same likeness? Those were just some of the questions we considered together.
In light of those questions, author and speaker Heather Thompson Day shared these words during her keynote presentation:
“When the world cries out, “Where is God?” It is not an indictment on God. It is an indictment on us. Because we are God’s image-bearers.”
It’s a truth that has haunted me in the very best way ever since.
Of course God is near to the brokenhearted, weeping with those who weep, ever-present in the mess, right there with us in the middle of it all. Actively working to repair, to heal, to restore, to mend. And while we get glimpses of that truth in myriad ways, I believe one of the clearest glimpses we can both provide and receive is God present and at work in and through us.
Because we are God’s image-bearers. The same spirit that was in Christ Jesus lives within us now, enabling each of us and all of us to be the Body of Christ in the world around us.
God dwells in us.
And so when people in our little corner of the world wonder where God is, we get to remind them. We get to say, “God is right here, right now. Let me show you.”
And then we show up with the casserole. We sit in the waiting room. We stand with the marginalized and the vulnerable. We invite the lonely and listen to the hurting. We lead with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love. We assume the best in others. We live with integrity. We offer peace, forgiveness, and encouragement. We consider the needs of others. We seek to align with God’s will and build for God’s Kingdom. Whatever we do, in word or deed, we do in the name of Jesus, remembering that we get to be living reminders of Christ’s character, grace, presence, and call in the middle of it all.
I wonder who those living reminders are for you?
A little over a year ago, my family said goodbye to my Uncle Jon. In October 2024, he was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma. And last April he passed away. When I think of the living reminders in my own life, I definitely think of Uncle Jon. He was a television reporter in Atlanta for 43 years. As you might imagine, at his funeral, there were lots of wonderful things said about him, but the one thing that I remember most was from a fellow reporter. This reporter shared that he did not go to church much, didn’t really have a faith of his own, but as he reflected on who Uncle Jon was, this is what he said, and I quote,
“I can’t explain it, but it seemed like God lived in Jon.”
I think I might be able to explain it. You see, Uncle Jon’s faith was incredibly important to him, and while he wasn’t a pastor or a missionary or a chaplain, what mattered most to him was shining God’s light and living his life with love as best he could in his particular context. That was clear as day to so many people. His care and humility seeped into each and every part of who he was. He exuded kindness, gentleness, and compassion. He never sought the spotlight. Instead, he ensured others were seen, heard, known, and cared for. In a world that tends to tear down, he chose to uplift. In the midst of conflict, he worked to make peace. He assumed the best and rarely was deterred by the worst.
He knew God was with him and within him and he lived like it was true.
Where is God?
God is with us and within us, too.
Today, remember where God is. In a world that is hurting, broken, and afraid, may we be those living reminders, showing each other a glimpse of the presence, grace, and love of God, right here, right now as together, we continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.