Always and Everywhere

"Let us remember that we are always and everywhere in the holy presence of God."

I used to work a second job that had the same alarm system as my day job. One Saturday I went into the part-time job and as soon as I opened the door and heard the alarm pad start to beep, I went blank.

I could remember the code for my day job, but I absolutely could not remember the code for the second job. Oops.

I knew it was written on a calendar in my boss's office...but I couldn't remember which calendar. Was it 1994? 1995? I ran to his office and threw my key in the lock and went straight to the shelf where the calendars were kept and started rummaging through them. The keypad was beeping faster...time was running out.

The alarm went off.

I ran back into the reception area and grabbed the phone. My boss was out of the country, so I called his son. I remembered the last 2 digits of the code that would identify me, so if I could just get the first 4 digits from him, I could shut the alarm off. "Come on, come on, answer!" He picked up the phone and somehow managed to hear me as the sirens were blaring and he gave me the first 4 numbers of the code. I disarmed the alarm and then called the alarm company to have them stop the police from coming.

I explained that I had forgotten the code. "Yes, I know. I could hear you," the dispatcher replied. I had forgotten that the alarm system included audio so the dispatcher could hear anyone who broke in.

I nearly melted in embarrassment as I realize that meant that she had also heard me say "sh*t" 47 times.

I often think of that when I hear a prayer begin with "Let us remember that we are always and everywhere in the holy presence of God." If the dispatcher from the alarm company could hear everything, how much more does God hear and see?

Always and everywhere in His presence...kind of a challenging thought, isn't it? It's so much easier to put God in a box and take Him out on an as-needed basis. But no, we are always and everywhere in His presence.

Always and everywhere.

He's with me when I say sh*t 47 times because I can't remember the alarm code.

He's with me when I get mad in traffic.

He's with me when a Facebook friend posts something on their status that makes me think less of them for just a second...or two.

He's with me when I refuse to speak to someone with whom I disagree.


He's with me when I refuse to help someone in need.

He's with me when I fail to do the right thing.

He's with me when I fail Him.

He's with me when I trust Him...and when I don't.

He's with me when I don't deserve Him.

Despite my failings, He is always everywhere that I am. He continues to forgive me, and He continues to love me. He continues to be there when I need Him.

Always and everywhere. Wow.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)