Eric and Lisa

I've been reading St. Augustine's Confessions lately, and in Book I, in the middle of one of his worshipful descriptions of God, he said this phrase, and it really rung true with me. Yes, God is very often hidden from us. Whether it's because of our sinful nature that causes a rift between us and Him, or simply because He sometimes chooses not to make Himself known to us as completely as we would like, He is a mystery to us. We may never fully understand His nature or actions...and that's as it should be. If we knew everything about Him, why would we need to seek Him? What purpose would there be in pursuing a relationship with Him? Without that constant struggle in life, what would there be to live for? It is His hiding that makes us long for Him more.

Yet, He's also "intricately present" -- with us in every minute detail of life. He is there when we wake up in the morning, as we go about our day, and as we sleep at night. He is there when we are laughing or crying, rejoicing or hurting, acting or contemplating. He is there in our memorable days and our forgetable days. And the best part is, He cares. He cares about those days of struggle when we feel so lost and alone. He cares about those days of triumph when we feel like we're on top of the world. He cares. And He is with us.

He is indeed hidden...but He is also intricately present. Praise God for both.

--Lisa