Where is God?

"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
The Apostle Paul

Where is God? I often ask this question when things are not going well in my life. When I have felt alone or scared, I ask this question. Many of Psalms in the Old Testament ask this question, as well. The Psalmist new that YHWH (the God of Israel) dwelt in their temple, though his presence was not limited to it. This question is not a new question for God's people and humanity in general. The Apostle Paul gives the answer to this question in his letter to the Ephesians. Where is God? Where his people are at! What a truly shocking claim to make. God is making his people (both Jews and non-Jews) in to a dwelling place for God. This new family of God is where God is present! God is in their midst.

This past summer, I went to see "the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" with some very good friends. It was very hot that day. Probably over 100 degrees. They had giant fans with water misters to keep us somewhat cool. The time came for us finally to go inside the studio. We had been waiting for hours to get inside the air-conditioning and of course to see Conan. When the taping finally began, the energy picked up in the audience. Then when Conan came out the place erupted with ovation for this very funny man. It was somewhat hard to believe that we were in the same room as Conan O'Brien. What excitement! Seeing my friends, who are bigger fans than I am of Conan, with so much excitement and joy on their faces was fun to see. I saw how people can get rather fanatical when they are near a celebrity. It was pretty cool and a great experience. It was well worth waiting in 100 degree heat. Being in the same room as Conan is rather noticeable and exciting but do we notice that God is also in the same room as his people?

God is not only in the same room as us but God is present within his people. God has made a new family made of all people. What if we notice that God is present in his family the way we notice when a celebrity is near us? What if God's people were consciously aware of his presence. Where is God? Where is God present? God is present in his people making them into a new humanity and a new family.

Thanks for reading,

Marcelino