I miss going to Church. I miss the building, the pews, the Altar, the prayer books and Hymnals, the Banners and colors; and most of all I miss the presence of God. It is just a building, I know, but being in that building, with one or two, or more people, I have a sense, a strong sense of the presence of God; and I have missed that feeling, since seeking the necessary isolation. 

I am not claiming that my church is the only place anyone can feel the nearness of God. I am sure it isn’t. You probably have your own place where you bring that contact close to you; where the reality of God and Jesus becomes palpable in a way no one else would understand. That is a good thing; and something to keep close and foster as life is lived in the other places where that feeling is not readily available. 

I did go to my church not long ago; and I was seeking the comfort of God’s presence; and I did not find Him. The building was empty. Everything was as it should be: the colors were bright, the focus as demanding, the cavernous nave as encompassing, but I was alone in the middle of it all, quietly alone. And, I wondered where He was.

I left the place and got into my car to go back into isolation at home, and my mind began to deal with my disappointment. I searched back to those times I knew God was present, and in each instance there was someone else with me, some individual; and between us at those times there was a good feeling that we were not alone. We were with God. The God that was within that other person greeted the God that was within me; and the love of God became known to us, both.

Coming to the knowledge of all that as I drove away, made me feel much better. It made me realize that I was not lacking in my knowledge of God. What I had not considered was that God was always with me, by God’s choice; And became manifest when I acknowledged the presence of God, and His love in the other person.

I am still anxious to get back to church and the regular services we have. But now I am excited about being with the other people who will be there, too. Each of them as they enter the building, will bring into it the God that dwells within them, and that God as they greet others and me will fill the place with His Love and presence. God is with us always. Let Him be manifest by sharing His love with others. AMEN

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.