Living in the Presence: Experiencing God Beyond Beliefs

Twenty years ago, I taught my first class as a newly ordained minister in the small church I was serving.  It was a class based on a book entitled Encountering God, which was a popular course in churches at that time.  

As I look back now, it seems interesting to me that the course essentially broke down the process of encountering God into steps that participants needed to undertake for it to happen. 

This is not to say that there weren't terrific insights in the class, but with hindsight, I can clearly see the holes in the theology that it was based on then.  The class outlined how, if we do the right things, we put ourselves in a position to experience God.  

As it turns out, God doesn't operate that way.  Whenever we try to put God in a box, God always manages to break those boxes apart.  Experiencing God isn't about doing the right things; it's about finally waking up to the truth about who we are and who God is for us.  

The transformative power of encountering God is one of the most profound experiences a person can have. It is not merely about holding beliefs or concepts, but about truly living in the reality of His presence, both within us and in the world around us. 

Eckhart Tolle offers a compelling insight into this when he says:  

“Through the present moment, you have access to the power of life itself, that which has traditionally been called 'God.' As soon as you turn away from it, God ceases to be a reality in your life, and all you are left with is the mental concept of God, which some people believe in and others deny. Even belief in God is only a poor substitute for the living reality of God manifesting every moment of your life.”

This quote highlights a common challenge in many spiritual journeys: we can become so focused on our notions or beliefs about God that we overlook the vibrant, living reality of God's presence in this very moment. 

We create mental images or doctrines, but these can become barriers that prevent us from experiencing God's fullness. 

When we rely solely on our beliefs or faith statements, we risk missing out on the dynamic, life-giving encounter that God desires for us to experience, God actively working within us and all around us.

The Bible encourages us to open our minds and hearts to the living presence of God. In John 4:24, Jesus declares, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

Worshiping in spirit involves more than words; it is about engaging with God's Spirit in a genuine, heartfelt way—touching the divine that is alive in us and in the world. When we focus only on concepts, we overlook the truth that God is constantly manifesting in our daily lives, guiding us, comforting us, and transforming us from the inside out.

True spiritual transformation begins when we stop merely believing about God and instead learn to experience God fully, both within ourselves and in the world around us. 

This shift calls us to a deeper level of awareness, to see beyond the surface and recognize God's presence in every moment, in every interaction, and in every part of creation.

I encourage you today, not just to give verbal assent to your faith, but to seek an active, living relationship with God that encompasses all of your senses and perceptions. 

Embrace the reality that the Spirit is at work within you and without you, transforming every facet of your life. As you do, you’ll discover that God's power is not distant or confined to doctrine, but alive, vibrant, and available to lead you into true transformation.

May you awaken to the reality of God in your life, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.