DEVOTION: Where God Lives ~ by Shirley Corder

My husband was the minister of the local Presbyterian church. One Sunday morning, he was standing at the door shaking hands with his congregation. Suddenly he felt a tug on his robes and glanced down. A little chap of about six stood there, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Yes Vaughan?" he asked. "What can I do for you?"

"Uncle Rob," the little boy responded. "Do you live here with God?" 

This little boy was under the impression that God lived in the church building. 

Sadly, many people today believe the same, or they behave as if they do. Certainly, the church building is holy and sanctified and set aside for the work of God, but it should never be seen as the place, the only place, where God lives.

At the same time, Vaughan had inadvertently stumbled across a key factor in choosing a church. It is of key importance that we attend a church where God lives. I'm not suggesting that church will be perfect. After all, it's made up of people like you and like me, so it can never be perfect. But does God live in your church? Is He alive? He may not get all the freedom He would like within its four walls, but does your regular attendance there (you do attend regularly, right?) keep you plugged in to God and His Word? 

But Vaughan had one thing wrong. He believed God to be restricted to the walls of his church. Yes, God is alive and well, and hopefully lives within your church. But does He go back to your home with you? Is He sitting at your dining room table and enjoying meals with you? Does He have any say in how you spend your time? In what you teach your children? Do you talk to him at a special time of day, just you and Him?

Regular church attendance is important. We need to fellowship with other believers, as well as learn from His Word, if we want a closer walk with Him. But it mustn't be the only fellowship we have or the only source of our learning about God and His Word.

I was recently working on an assignment for a Bible Study manual. I came across a passage of Scripture that I knew well. I had often heard many messages preached on it. Suddenly, I stopped short. I'd noticed a few words that didn't make sense with the picture as I understood it.

I reached for other Bible versions and concordances. Sure enough, I had always misunderstood the sequence of events covered by the passage. I'm not blaming my church or denomination. It may have been I wasn't listening properly, but that reminded me how important it is to read God's Word for ourselves. 

How about you? Is there an area of your life where you find it difficult to remember God's presence?

SHIRLEY CORDER lives on the coast in South Africa with her husband, Rob. Her book, Strength Renewed: Meditations for your Journey through Breast Cancer contains 90 meditations based on her time in the cancer valley.

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Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at  RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.