Practicing the Presence of God

February 17 has been designated as the day when the transition will be made from analog to full digital TV transmission. Yes, those of us who have older TV's and do not have cable TV will have to make some adjustments. Besides freeing up the frequency spectrum for other uses, high definition gives us a sharper picture. In thinking about the switchover, I wonder how many of us would like to get a clearer picture of God in our lives. Do you yearn to have God more in focus in your life?

This concern has prompted me to develop a sermon series on "Getting God in High Definition." My sermon on Sunday will focus on "Practicing the Presence of God."

The title comes from the title of a book by Brother Lawrence, who lived a little over three hundred years ago. His book has become a classic. His point is that we must make a conscious effort to be aware of God throughout the day. I think many of us just expect God to show up in spectacular ways on a regular basis. When that doesn't happen, we feel God has abandoned us or the chasm has grown larger between us and God.

The real secret is to to be thinking of God in everything we do. We thank God for every good thing that comes our way. It is to think of God when we have to make any kind of a decision. It is to think of God when we contemplate the direction of our lives. We consciously make God a part of our living each day.

Where are you in terms of experiencing the presence of God? What else might we do to bring God into sharper focus in our lives?