Filled With God's Goodness...

 By Bobby V. Schuller, Crystal Cathedral Pastor

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." -Psalm 62:1-2

One day I thought about what it would be like if I started to do everything for the glory of God and remembered that God is present everywhere?

This phrase, the practice of the presence of God, was a phrase quoted by Brother Lawrence, a famous spiritual writer. His friends said that you could see the glory of God in him even when he would pick up a straw off the ground, or when he would clean dishes. Everything he did, he did in the presence and in the glory of God. His whole life was pervaded with joy and fullness, and it didn't matter what he was doing because he saw himself constantly in the midst of the kingdom, in the midst of God's banquet.

Then, I wondered what it would be like to eat an orange from my orange tree in the presence and in the glory of God. I have this tree in my front yard that grows the most delicious oranges. So, I plucked an orange from the tree and I thought, wow, this grew in my yard. Then I ate it slowly. This sounds a little ridiculous, I know, but I was present with the orange. I peeled the orange slowly, and when I bit into the orange, I really thought about the juice, what a gift it was, and I was filled with gratitude. If you're clothed with Christ, even eating an orange can bring glory to God.

When God is in everything, nothing can be monotonous or boring ever again. When the presence of God is experienced and practiced, nothing feels monotonous, nothing feels boring. Everything is exciting because it's filled with God's life and God's goodness.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you are with me right now. Flourish inside of me a sense of joy, peace, fullness, and fulfillment that comes from practicing, on a daily basis, your presence in my lie. Oh Lord, how I love you. Amen.

Reflection: What everyday thing that you enjoy reminds you of the joy of the Lord in your life?

-Hour of Power