Anytime, anywhere

(C) 2008, Amy Lewis

Have you ever taken an alternate route to work or another oft-visited place? It brings freshness to a sometimes stale routine. Occasionally, I’ll ride well-worn trails in the opposite direction as I normally do. The familiar terrain suddenly has a sense of newness. My senses and Ernie’s work overtime as we see ravines and meadows we don’t normally see. These rides bring unexpected pleasure and fresh perspective to my day.

I wonder, what else in our lives could benefit by shaking up the routine? Perhaps our approach to God has grown stale? So often we expect God to speak to us in the same way or in the same place every time we seek him there. Often that place is in worship or in our private prayer time. But how many times do we wait on Him or seek His presence at our desks at the office? Or while driving? Or when we’re out with friends on a Friday night? Do we look for Him anytime, anywhere? Do we listen for His leading wherever we may be?

That’s one of the truly awesome characteristics of God – He is omnipresent. He is everywhere; with us all the time. How could you look for God in new ways today? Where and when could you seek God more consciously in your life? He wants to be a part of our whole lives – not just on Sunday morning, not just when you pray to Him. Let Him in to every part of your life and see where He takes you and the blessings he gives in return.

“’Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?’ asks the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24

Psalm 139:7-11: “I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.”

Questions for reflection:
1. What routines in your life could benefit from a new perspective? What do you anticipate may be the outcome of shaking up the routine?

2. What new approach to God will you take today? Try something new each day this week. Record what you see, hear and experience with each new experience.

3. How can you more closely involve God in your day-to-day routine?

After you've had some time to reflect on the questions above, please share your thoughts by posting a comment. I'd love to hear what you think or how this message may have helped you.