Janelle Esker Feeling the presence of God is not some mystical experience reserved only for the most religious people. We don’t need to lock ourselves away in monasteries to hear the voice of God. In Exodus 33, Moses asked to see the glory of God. God told Moses that he could not see His face, but that He would pass by Moses and cover him with His hand.
And it shall come to pass,
while my glory passeth by,
that I will put thee in a clift of the rock,
and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
Exodus 33:22
Moses was able to physically feel the presence of God. But this was a unique occurrence, and more than likely, something that we will not experience until we reach heaven. However, Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to live inside all Christians. We are blessed to have constant access to God, the Creator of the universe. This does not always equate to a strong spiritual sense of the presence of God. Personally, I often forget about the Gift of the Holy Spirit and am tempted to think that God has forgotten me. We may not experience some emotional epiphany of the presence of God. God may not reveal Himself to us as He did to Moses. But we can still be overcome by the presence of God in our lives, which can be an incredible way to grow closer to Him. God lives in us, and that is amazing.
And I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you,
and shall be in you.
John 14:16, 17
When I talked about this topic with my friend Bethany, she told me she especially feels God’s presence when floating in the ocean. It is important for us to be alone with God every now and then, away from everyday distractions. Beth said that while she is floating, she feels “something is holding me, and it is God.”
I love living by the beach here in Florida, as I often feel God’s presence by the water. I recently visited a beautiful Pensacola beach with a couple of friends. The sea was stormy and the waves splashed loudly. As my friends sat in the pure white sand, I waded out into the water. The crashing of the waves drowned out all the noise in my head, all the distractions.
As my mind focused on the repetitiveness of the waves, I spoke out loud to God. I acknowledged His power and His love for me, both as constant as the waves which beat upon the shore. I poured out my heart to God. I confessed my fears and my mistrust and I let God’s presence wash over me. As I walked back to my striped beach blanket, I felt refreshed and excited to share how God had spoken to me through the waves.
Being at the beach reminded me of my work with a vacation Bible school over the summer. The theme was “Trusting God in the Waves.” Some of the skits and games were a bit cheesy, especially in the middle of Ohio. But the whole experience was a massive blessing and reminder to me. One passage we focused on was Psalm 46:1-3. God brought those verses to my mind as I stood in the stormy waves. God was there with me. I had the Holy Spirit in my heart. God cared about all the requests I brought to Him.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake
with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psalm 46:1-3
These words are powerful and powerfully inspired by God. Take a moment to think about them. God knows our troubles, and He can and will protect us when we turn to Him.
Now, I realize that not everyone can make it to the beach to feel the presence of God, but God can be seen everywhere. I see Him especially in nature—in the symmetry of plants, in the wise instincts of animals, in smiles and laughter, and in the weather. Hot or cold, rainy or sunny, God is there.
I urge you to take a moment to look for God in everyday things. God the Creator left traces and reminders of Himself in creation. When or where do you most feel the presence of God?
*This post is written by the talented Lauren Jacques. She is a Senior at a small college in Sunny Florida where she is finishing a degree in Professional Writing. Lauren is currently an intern with The Peaceful H
