Live Like You Believe It

""Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord""- Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV).

My mother never said, "Don't do anything you wouldn't do if I were right there with you" when I finally got old enough to go off on my own. Instead, she said, "Don't do anything you wouldn't do if Jesus were right there with you." That had a much more profound impact on my choices as a young person gaining independence from my parents and even now as a senior citizen. It's natural for a child to separate themselves from their parents as they become older; parents are no longer privy to all aspects of their child's life and have to trust that the foundation they provided will lead to a healthy lifestyle for their offspring. The relationship with Jesus, however, doesn't have a line drawn where He is waving good-bye as you drive away. No, He's omnipresent; always with you: from the highest heights, to the lowest depths, from the dawn to the far side of the sea..."even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:8-10). He fills heaven and earth and He fills you. Jesus is right there with you, guiding and holding you fast. May you live like you believe it.