Thursday, February 1

God Everywhere

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

In "The Great Divorce," CS Lewis wrote a story about a man who died and found himself, essentially in hell. In the book, the man boards a bus to heaven, where he encounters a number of folks who help him sort out some questions concerning heaven and hell. One of the most fascinating facets of the story is the location of hell. It is not a far-away place where God's presence is absent. Instead, hell is a tiny speck at the edge of the vastness that is heaven. Its separation from heaven isn't its proximity, but its size. Hell, although microscopic, is still within the realm of God. Meaning, the presence of God is everywhere, even surrounding hell. It's a good read, and not too difficult. 

I've always appreciated Lewis' sensitivity about good and evil, righteous people and sinners, heaven and hell. He never seemed to shut the door on anyone's opportunity to stand in the presence of a loving God. His ideas sit well with me. I too, believe it is never too late to drink in God's love. If God is truly master over sin and death, and if even death cannot separate us from the love of God, then that door is never closed to us. No matter what we do in this life or the next, God is everywhere, always ready to welcome us home.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 139:7-12

Where can I go from your spirit?
   Or where can I flee from your presence? 
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
   if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 
If I take the wings of the morning
   and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 
even there your hand shall lead me,
   and your right hand shall hold me fast. 
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
   and the light around me become night’, 
even the darkness is not dark to you;
   the night is as bright as the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.