The Encounter

We are forever trying to confine our God or gods. The Romans liked to build statues to represent their gods, or to have their gods inhabit certain mountains or spaces. Judaism did not do this. Judaism encounters God in an event that has no specific place. "God saves his people" not one time only, in one place, but always and in all places. God cannot be confined to a space. God can be encountered anywhere. Moses encountered God in a bush. Where? The place was never important. Moses encountered God on mountain, in a fiery cloud, and thunder. But we seem to need arks, temples, churches, and tabernacles, to confine God because we are too lazy or driven by daily life to stop and be in the moment wherever we are. God is an encounter. Many people go to their buildings and experience nothing much. So they stop going to these places. It is not the place that makes God "pop up" but the attitude and openness that a person has to the Holy Presence. God is right here now. So where are you? Chewing on the past in resentment, guilt, shame or disappointment? Looking to the future for more of what you have, or better times, or just a fantasy? God is in plain sight for those who have the eye to see.