Quite a few years ago, I had the privilege of working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, as a legislative aide. Everyday I worked with great men and women. Several times a week, I even had lunch in the congressional dining hall alongside many congressman and senators.
As I walked through the corridors of the Capitol, it was not uncommon to often be in the presence of dignitaries and great men of history.
I had the distinct opportunity to share the same breathing space, if you will. I know that those moments are still etched in my mind as some of my most memorable experiences in life. What an honor to be able to be in the presence of such history makers.
Do you know that we have the distinct pleasure of being in the company of the greatest of all dignitaries everyday of our lives? It is the very presence of God.
It was fascinating to work alongside these men and women, but how much more to be in the presence of an eternal, omnipotent Father.
What does it really mean to be in the presence of God? I believe that it is a conscious realization of God everyday—a clear and distinct knowledge of Him. It is a loving gaze and an inward sense of our creator as well as a silent conversing with Him.
Do you know that God desires to have us work alongside Him and eat lunch with Him everyday? His desire is to spend quality time with us. Just as Joshua in Exodus 33 went to the tent of meeting, God is inviting us daily to come into the tent—the place where His presence dwells. It is the quiet place where we alone commune with Him.
Joshua would not leave that place. He knew he was in the presence of the greatest of all leaders. Even though our Father carries the ultimate place of honor, He is not cold, aloof, rigid, legalistic, not demanding or impatient, and we don't even have to struggle to please Him.
He desires to be with us, to be close and not remain at a distance. He wants us to pitch a tent close to Him and away from all that would distract us from His loving gaze.
Maybe today, like Joshua, you need to take your tent and pitch it far away from all those "things" that have to get done just so you can spend a few moments gazing upon the greatest of all dignitaries, Jesus Christ, the One longing to share His breathing space with you!
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