Where do you feel closest to God? In the mountains, at the beach, or maybe in the desert? What activity gives us a sense of God’s presence? In a little book called the Quotidian mysteries, writer Kathleen Norris confesses she often feels closest to God in the ordinary rhythms of life, when she is baking bread, washing dishes or doing laundry. Do these activities bring God near in your mind? I washed dishes in a cafeteria for spending money when I was in college. It did not make me feel close to God. Baking bread does move me closer to God.
God often met his people on a mountain. In the wilderness, he fed them with manna and quail. God sent the ravens to feed Elijah. In the gospels we learn that Jesus loved to go to parties. He shared in the last supper with his disciples and told them stories about banquets in the Kingdom of heaven. In this eschatological section of Isaiah, the prophet invites us to a mountain where God himself will feed all peoples with the best food. On the mountain, God will defeat death and wipe tears from the eyes of his people. Then he will remove all disgrace. All God’s people joyfully respond, “Surely this is our God.” They trusted God, he saved them, and they rejoiced.
In his book of Revelation, the elder John uses the same kinds of words to describe heaven (Revelation 21:3-7). “God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death . . .” (Revelation 21:5-6 ). Won’t that be a great day? God promises that he will live with us. We will taste and see the goodness of God. Those who are thirsty will drink water without cost from the spring of the water of life. We are closest to God when we abide in his presence. It is not so much about geographical location as it is about spiritual disposition towards God. Brother Lawrence taught others to practice God’s presence by being attentive to the Lord in the ordinary activities of life. Let’s attend to God today through the whole day in all that we do, giving him glory.
