I suspect the primary reason we attend worship on Sunday mornings is to be in God’s presence. The music, scriptures, prayers, sermons - nearly everything that takes place in worship - all make us feel God is truly near. What else would be expected than to feel God’s presence when we intentionally enter and spend time in "The Lord’s House on The Lord’s Day?"
But let me share a quote by Peter Marshall on where God should be also if not more so. "If God does not enter your kitchen," said Marshall, "there is something wrong with your kitchen. If you can’t take God into your recreation, there is something wrong with your play ... We all believe in the God of the heroic. What we need most these days is the God of the humdrum - the commonplace, the everyday.
I cite this today to remind us that God’s nearer presence must be keenly felt everyday in every place of a believer’s life. We expect to find God when we gather to praise God on God’s turf. The challenge is to hold that same expectation on our turf - in our homes, in our work and leisure, in our moments of celebration and in times of sadness and struggle. Moreover, others should expect to find God’s nearer presence in their interactions with disciples. The truth is God’s sanctuary isn’t the only place we should know God is near. I pray you will look for God’s grace, love and mercy in those places, times and activities that we don’t expect to see the Lord. Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world ... Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and praise your God in heaven."