Meditation 7

As a child, I was nothing less then a hellion; a case-and-point for total depravity. Once I even chased a guest around the house with a butcher’s knife. A few years ago my uncle told me he was convinced I was possessed by a demon when I was young. I would steal anything I thought was nice, explode in anger for no reason and lie at the drop of a hat. When my mother was trying to get the truth out of me and she knew I was lying, she would employ a clever trick to get me to confess. My mother would look me in the eye and ask, “If Jesus were sitting next to you, and He asked you if you hit your brother, what would you say to Him?” That one got me every time! That tactic forced my arm and I had to tell the truth no matter how bad the consequence was. How could I lie to Jesus if he were sitting next to me? Impossible! 

What I didn't understand as a child was that I really was sitting in the very presence of God Himself. I didn't understand that everything I did was open and manifest to God. As a boy, I didn't realize that all of life is lived coram Deo, “before the face of God.”

If you are anything like me, you often fall into the trap of compartmentalizing your life and faith. At school you're one person, at home another. When your with your Christian friends you have a set of vocabulary thats different then when you're with your work buddies. And when you're by your self, you're a whole other person entirely. 

The whole life of the believer is to be lived coram Deo. For God, all things are laid open, there is nothing that can be done outside of His presence. God does not see life in compartments; He does not expect us to act as children of the Light in our churches only. 

Remember today, dear reader, that at all times; whether at school or work, alone or at home, you are in the presences of a Holy God. Live in such a way that will bring honor to Him at all times. 

Father, today, whether I eat, or drink, or laugh, or play, or work, or rest, I am well aware that I am in your presence. Help me live in such a way that will bring glory to You at all times and in all places.