When I was younger, I remember thinking that church was where one would go to find God. I knew I could pray to Him anytime, but it seemed if one wanted to find Him it would be in a pew on Sunday. Even certain holidays seemed more magical because there was an undeniable awareness of why it was being celebrated. It was always so fun to get in the spirit including getting dressed up a bit and reminding myself of why exactly I was even taking the time to celebrate. Sundays were wrought with excitement for church and they always seemed like a breath of fresh air to break up the monotony of the week **monotony is so not me**. Because God wasn’t necessarily an everyday part of my life, on those special days when I did “re-discover” Him, they were like scrumptious little indulgences for my soul and I always felt warm and fuzzy afterward.
Fast forward to January 2, 2011 when the holidays have come and gone but those warm fuzzies never seemed to climax. I tried in every way to set the mood, hoping to wholeheartedly invite those feelings to come and stay a while but to no avail. It’s been like that for a few years now, where every holiday we celebrate leaves me with an unsatisfied feeling yet I could not pinpoint why.
Here’s the conclusion I’ve come up with. I don’t find God in a pew. I don’t find God on Christmas, or Easter, or Memorial day, or Halloween, or Washington’s birthday, on April Fool’s day, or National Secretary’s Day. DISCLAIMER: I ALSO DON’T FIND SATAN ON HALLOWEEN, IT’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS OF THE YEAR AND I LOVE JESUS (yep, I know, It’s scandalous). Anyway, I do find God often, it’s just not in the same places it used to be.
Lately, I find God most often at the gym. Especially when I’m short on breath, aching, and feeling like collapsing — I pray hard! No, really, it’s in those moments when I’ve blocked the rest of the world out, and I’m focused on nothing but my soul and my God. See, I go to the gym more for the spiritual alone time than I do to burn calories. I go there with the specific purpose to connect with God. Whether I’m running, swimming, lifting, or stretching, it’s a safe bet that I am also praying. I have actually had times where I’ve been so into praying, someone will run up behind me and scare the crud out of me. But, I find God anyway. I have also found God while watching my 12 year old swim his little heart out because with each of his strides I remember a gaping hole in his heart that threatened his ability to live, let alone swim. I find God in my answered **and unanswered** prayers. I found God last week while sitting in the county jail listening to women expressing stories of brokenness and hope. If I am focused and watching, I can find God every single day.
And, as with any relationship, at the beginning it’s fiercely exciting and euphoric. Those were the moments I found God in church and on holidays. It is a wonderful “feel-good” experience and because it’s not the norm, it’s noticeable. Now that I am in consistent relationship with God, it lessens the euphoria so when holidays and special occasions arise, they seem almost anti-climactic. Yet, I know it’s because that intense, adrenaline/endorphin **happy, happy** rush is spread more evenly throughout the entire year. We shouldn’t only be finding God in the holidays and on Sundays. Look for Him tomorrow — It’s Monday, nothing special, but keep your eyes open. ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE NOT A MORNING PERSON (ie…me) HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE, THEN LOOK. Have a happy Monday!
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