In His Presence

I've been watching Michael McIntyre's latest DVD this evening.

I find him completely hilarious.

At one point he mentions how useless it is to put dirty dishes next to the dishwasher, instead of in the dishwasher. Or to put our dirty laundry next to the washing machine. Or to sit down on the pavement next to the car, instead of actually getting into the car.

In the same way, it's not much use for us to be near the presence of God, without really entering into it or entering into a relationship with Him.  We can go to church and watch other people engaging with God, or we can listen to talks and sermons and worship songs, without really entering into them.  We can even sing along, without really engaging or thinking about what we're singing.  Or we can read passages in the Bible or read books, but we don't really enter into what we learn.  We don't really enter into a relationship with God.

We can be near God, but never really in His presence.

Asaph writes in the Psalms,

"I'm in the very presence of God — oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home."

[Psalm 73:25-27 MSG]

Yes, it is good to be near God. But it is so much better to be in His presence, to be within a relationship with Him. To be under His wings.