Distractions From His Presence

A friend cried out, “Why can’t I stay in His presence?  I’m looking straight at Jesus and something earthly jerks me away, and I can’t get back to Him.  Why?”  Her distress filled the room like blood in a furrow.

Why are we so easily distracted?  Holy men run to mountains to find focus, and often remain isolated the entirety of their lives.  Her cries sounded like she would one day follow them.

However, this was not how Jesus used His alone time.  A couple hours on the mountain side, and He returned refreshed enough to walk on water.  Even the chaos of little children did not bother Him.  He wanted them to play at His feet, climb His arms, and hug His neck.  They were the Kingdom of Heaven.

Children are the key.  They hold tight when they are freighted or sad.  Then some toy distracts them.  They wander off without a thought.  Occasionally, they look back to make sure the adult is still there, still watching.  A smile and the child beams.  They run back for another hug.

The problem is we grow out of thinking like a child.  We reject this basic need.  Adults fend for themselves.  We long for love but do not look for security in a hug.  We learn the shame of guilt and believe God feels insulted by our negligence.  How can God love us if we cannot stay focused?  Then, we place ourselves into a pit of condemnation.

We cry with eyes closed.  We hear our own screams echoing off walls we have built.  Adults rationalize aloneness as punishment, our normality.  We glimpse heaven through the bars of our prison.

Yet, here is the reality.  Our Daddy is still there.  We simply forget to look.  He can penetrate and destroy any wall, even mental ones.  The sooner we stop panicking the quicker we feel His presence.

I told my friend the “trick” I often use (that is, when I remember).  I sing with the cherubim.  It does not matter what I sing or if I hit the right notes.  I just need to remember that cherubim enjoy their existence.  They sing joy.  They dance close to Him.  Their “Holy; holy; holy,” song is filled with giggles and laughter.  When I sing along, I cannot help but hug my Daddy.

This world holds distractions.  God knows.  He made it that way.  However, we should not let distractions rule us.  Relax.  Look for Daddy.  Take a deep breath of His air.  Did He teach me anything by that distraction?  Was there something I needed to see or pray about?  Did I learn to keep one eye on Him?

He is our security.  Run to His voice.  Feel His hug.