Musings about God’s dwelling place.

This morning, before and during breakfast, I spend some time in God’s presence. I felt like I was missing spending time and having a conversation with Him. Yet when I sat down, I suddenly didn’t have any words to say. Out of habit, I asked, “How are you this morning? How are things in heaven?” I began to think to myself, as I’ve often done, what those questions actually mean. In my humanity, I converse with God in that manner even though I am aware that He is constant. God does not experience a day or time as I do. He exists outside of time. He is constant and consistent. His state of being does not fluctuate. He doesn’t have a good day or a bad day like I would.

He is sovereign which means he knows everything long before it happens. He is never caught off guard or by surprise. He does not experience changes in emotions and mood in the same way that we humans do. Yet He does experience emotions. He shows love and joy for example. When I reject Him and sin, it breaks His heart. When I hurt or suffer or am in trouble, He is right there alongside me because His heart is for me. I’m currently studying the book of Genesis which tells stories about the early days of human existence. At one point, it says that God was grieved and His heart was filled with pain because He saw how wicked people had become. Every inclination of their hearts was only evil all the time and this troubled God.

With regards to heaven, I am aware that it is not a geographical location or some kind of cosmic place. God is omnipresent meaning He exists everywhere all at once. He exists outside of space. He exists in the spiritual realm. He lives within me and He unites Himself with me. So when I ask God how things are going in heaven, I acknowledge that that’s me trying to understand and relate to an eternal being that operates and exists outside my realm of existence and understanding. The beauty of it is that God doesn’t judge or despise my humanity or limited perception and understanding. He befriends me and relates with me in my humanity. Consider the story of Abram when God entered into a covenant agreement with him.

It was customary in those days that when people entered into a covenant agreement, they sometimes walked down an aisle flanked by animal carcasses on either side. This demonstrated the gravity of the agreement and how serious the parties involved were about keeping their end of the agreement. God graciously entered into an agreement with Abram in this manner out of regard for his humanity and customs of the day. After Abram had prepared the animals for the agreement ceremony, we’re told that a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passed between them. The firepot and torch represented the presence of God and thus the covenant was solemnised that way. I am always blown away by the level of regard and concern God shows people.

He does not dismiss us, our limited understanding, thinking, desires, needs, and our customs and traditions. Instead, he chooses to relate to us just the same. He corrects us where our ways and our thinking are faulty or lacking or contrary to His. He teaches us a better way instead of rejecting us. As I read about how Abram was God’s friend and how God did all these things out of regard for His friend, I am humbled. I’m humbled yet I also feel honoured, loved, special, and good because that is the same kind of relationship that the God of the universe and everything that exists is calling me and you into, friends! I think I’ll probably continue to ask God how He is doing and how heaven is going because I know He knows that’s my way of seeking a connection 😊

Love,