Mindful or the Presence of God
Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, reportedly said, “I looked and looked but I didn’t see God.” His friends denied he made this statement, he stayed quiet about it, and the government used it to support atheism. The Soviet government quoted him as saying, “I see no God up here.” Whether he actually said it is still debated.
Some people claim that God is just a myth and that religion is restrictive. They believe He does not exist. Others think He exists but is far away or in another place.
Where do you believe God is? Some say He is in Heaven (“our Father, which art in Heaven”). Others believe He is everywhere (“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there”). More poetically, some express, “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”
According to the Bible, God is everywhere and present in each believer.
The Personal Presence of God
God is always with you in your life. How do we know? The following verses show this in amazing ways.
In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “Do not be afraid; I am with you. Do not be confused; I am your God. I will give you strength, help you, and support you.” God is not just with you but is actively strengthening, helping, and supporting you.
Some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples were, “I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” So, how often is He with you? Always! Every moment of your life. From the womb to the tomb, you are never alone.
The author of Hebrews gives us a wonderful promise: “Do not be greedy; be happy with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or abandon you.’” You are truly never alone. The phrase “leave you” means He will not abandon, discard, or reject you. He will not walk away from you!
These verses show us that God is always present in our lives—physically (“I am with you”), in time (“even to the end of the age”), and eternally (“I will never leave you or abandon you”).
The Greater Reality
Our present reality, things we see, hear, and touch, which we will call the lesser reality.
2 Corinthians 4:18 provides a great perspective to help us move from this lesser reality to a greater one. It says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” The greater reality is about what, or rather Who we cannot see. It exists in a spiritual realm.
Being Mindful of God’s Presence
The Meaning of Being Mindful of God’s Presence. The narratives of Enoch and Noah help us understand what it means to be aware of “God with us.” Genesis 5:22, 25 and 6:9 tell us they “walked with God,” meaning they lived with Him.
The New Testament makes it clear where God is. “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” Colossians 1:27 explains that His presence in you and makes you His dwelling place, His holy temple.
Being mindful of God’s presence means actively focusing on the reality of “God with us” and Christ in us. When you are intentional, you are consciously directing your thoughts towards God being with you. Your focus is on the daily, personal, and active presence of God in your life—not just as an idea, but a conscience awareness.
The Importance of Being Mindful of God’s Presence. Living with God is a normal part of being a Christian, shaped not by what society thinks is normal, but by what God teaches. Ignoring His presence can lead you away from true reality.
A believer who isn’t focused on walking with God might feel spiritually “wealthy, well-off, and needing nothing,” but they may not realize how “unhappy, poor, blind, and exposed” they actually are.
God should be your breath, your constant friend, your guide, and your source of comfort. When He is, you see life and the world through Jesus’ eyes. Your faith will grow, and your love will deepen. You will become more like God: less sinful, more caring, humbler, and less focused on yourself.
Also, if you’re not drawn to God’s presence, you might seek approval from others, compromise your beliefs in order to please them, prioritize their happiness over God’s, and feel hurt when people disagree with you or disregard your faith.
Paul said, “Everyone left me… but the Lord stood by me.” How could he manage that? It’s because he walked closely with God. You can do the same.
Are You Mindfully Living in God’s Presence? To live in God’s presence needs practical steps. Here are a few simple suggestions.
- Start your day by remembering His presence. God promised Joshua in 1:9 that He would be with him wherever he went. You can do this with a simple prayer or a daily reminder on your bathroom mirror, calendar, or phone alarm.
- Memorize a verse about His presence and quote it throughout the day. I’d suggest Matthew 28:20a as a great place to start, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Whatever you choose to do, it can’t be a one-time action. Reminders should happen all day. However, these reminders will remain superficial unless you are consciously convinced of God’s presence. The true way to live an Emmanuel (“God with us”) life takes more than a few easily behavior modifications.
How to Mindfully Live in God’s Presence. Living an Emmanuel Life means experiencing “God with us” through more than just words or actions. It involves building a strong foundation by being open to living in His presence.
This kind of life always recognizes that He is there, seeks His guidance, and aims to follow His example throughout our life span.
Are you aware of His presence in your life? Thinking you need to try harder means you’re not truly living with Him. It’s not about trying; it’s about actively seeking Him. As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for You, O God.
1Psalm 139:8-10; 2Matthew 28:20a; 3Hebrews 13:5; 4Matthew 1:23; 5Revelation 3:17; 6Psalm 139:8-10; 7Psalm 42:1
The Pastor's Corner 
Swift to Hear; Slow to Speak