This morning in our Friday morning Prayer Group, we watched a video by John Ortberg titled Practicing the Absence of God. He pointed us to the very first part of Genesis. In the Garden of Eden we see the serpent, we see Eve and we see Adam but we don’t “see” God. Why not? Because God honors personhood. He created us and honors us with our choices. Eve or Adam could at any time have talked with God and asked His advice. They made the choice not to do that. Do we do that in our own lives? Do we purposefully not ask God to help us because we want to choose something He may not approve of? I’ve done that. Do I want God to be with me? Is God with me in this decision, this trial, this need? When I choose God, I am more aware of His Presence helping me. When I forget or turn away, He is there; He doesn’t turn away or forget me.

I loved this Scripture reference in Hearing God by Dallas Willard this morning: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15.

God allows our choices and honors us with the ability to choose. How many people do you know who truly allow you that freedom? It seems more and more today that people want absolute control over others. Where is grace in that? Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Truth…in love…God.

I love that God will always give us a choice. At the beginning of the video, we saw amazing images of the ocean waves crashing, of mountains, of a lion looking right at us…the breeze ruffling his mane, of an eagle soaring over a deep lake, of a human face…all lovingly created each with its own purpose and mode of being. A lion will be a lion; an eagle will be an eagle; the ocean waves will crash ashore and recede; the mountain ranges will shift and thrust upward. And us? Created in the very image of God?

To show His great love for us, God became one of us. He showed us how to live in the grace of the Fathers love. He showed us He is approachable and that He will bend down to us and lay His hands on us and heal us. He showed us He will laugh with us, He will cry with us…He will give His life for us so that we can live. He showed us He forgives us. Who else will do that for you? Who else can? Who else offers to take your hand and dwell with you if that is your choice and to let you go your own way should that be your choice?

We can live in the grace of God’s love and in that love we can experience His Presence. There is such comfort and peace with Him. He has been there from the beginning before anything we know was created. He will be there always. I am learning from Him that His love is deep and wide. He sees me. He hears me. He’s teaching me so patiently how to hear Him and His love for me and for you. He’s helping me to open my eyes to Him and His wonderful work here with us. It takes love to see God. It takes His love to us.

God didn’t turn away from Adam and Eve in the garden. He clothed them. He loved them. He respected their choice. He respects yours. Can we begin to comprehend His?