Certain moments stay with you for a long time.
When I was in Bible college, I had the opportunity to study under two different presidents. Dr. Gordon Anderson came on as president of North Central University during my second year. It was fun to watch a change in leadership.
Chapel attendance was one of the requirements at the time. There are some services I still remember and others that have long since left my mind. A series of events happened the first year of Dr. Anderson’s tenure that remains with me years later.
At one of the chapel services, Dave Pedde led us in worship songs. A professor from the music department, Dave became one of my favorites. Although he taught only one of my classes, I loved his authentic heart and passion for God. In this service, his authentic nature caused him to stop in the middle of his leading. He said something like, “God is here. It is easy to simply play notes and miss the reality that God is here.”
Shortly after, Dr. Anderson did another a series of messages on the subject of revival. It was such a great series that I got the cassette tapes and listened to them time and time again. In one of those messages, Dr. Anderson referred back to Dave Pedde’s comment of “God is here.”
He made a good-natured joke that he was glad the music department had become aware of the omnipresence of God. Lightheartedly, he said the theology department had known that fact for a while. He then turned to a life-changing thought that has stayed with me ever since.
Although the Bible constantly reminds us God is always with us, we are not always awake to His presence. He pointed out that this is why the prophets often needed to encourage the people to “wake up.”
This truth has reminded me of my duty to wake myself up to God’s presence. I try to practice the discipline Dallas Willard did while he lived. When he woke up in the morning, before he even left the bed, he would acknowledge the presence of God.
What simple habits do you need to start to wake yourself up to the reality that you are in God’s presence right now? {eoa}
Kevin Senapatiratne is head spiritual pyromaniac for Christ Connection. Kevin speaks around the United States helping Christians find the fun of prayer. He is the author of Enjoying Prayer. You can learn more about his ministry at enjoyingprayer.com.
For the original article, visit christconnection.cc.
