“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1,2, NIV).

If you’re like me, Monday morning is “inventory time.” The day begins with contemplation of everything needing to b e done within that week. Sometimes this process includes excitement over a special event, but more often it’s quite mundane. Sometimes there is a small dose of “overwhelm” mixed in. After all, many of us agree that life gets pretty busy at times.

That’s why these verses are so appropriate to start the week. They begin with a ring of familiarity — most of us have sung a variety of choruses based on verse 1. But verse 2 really hits home: “When can I go and meet with God?” There is almost a childlike enthusiasm permeating these words. The prospect of spending time with God elicits joy, excitement, anticipation.

Why? Because within the soul of every believer dwells a passion to experience God in a deeper, more profound way. Sometimes that passion becomes muted by everyday pressures and distractions. But it’s always there.

Which brings me back to Monday morning. How do  we maintain our zeal for God when so many other voices call for our immediate attention? Paradoxically, the Psalmist gives us the answer by asking a question. When can I go and meet with God? In that query, we’re called to examine our desires and priorities. We’re also reminded, in context of this Psalm of praise, that such moments will enrich our lives like nothing else could.

When time set aside for praise becomes a happy priority, my zeal for Christ will grow. Conversely, if I relegate time with Him to moments between my regularly scheduled tasks and events, that zeal will recede.

So, join me in making time with God a regular priority — the first item applied to the daily schedule. Every day is a great day when our hearts are filled with praise.

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“The real test of being in the presence of God is that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

This might seem like a rather heavy, daunting word of reflection to begin the week. Yet I believe there is, in fact, great liberty in contemplating our position in light of God’s glory. For, while His goodness exposes our lostness, it also provides remedy, and hope. No matter where we find ourselves this week, in spite of challenges or failures — and regardless of our own triumphs and successes — there is great, transforming joy to be found when we humble ourselves in His presence.

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Have you ever felt really conspicuous — like everyone around you could tell that you didn’t quite belong?

My wife, Janice, and I encountered these feelings on a trip to Chicago this past weekend. I was there to run the Chicago Marathon, but we took a couple extra days to experience the sights and sounds of the metropolis. We soon found ourselves overwhelmed by the pace and excitement of one of our nation’s great cities. It was a lot for a pair of rural Midwesterners to absorb.

While we didn’t wear name tags containing the word “tourist,” they likely were not needed. Whether I was struggling to operate the subway turnstile, craning my neck to gaze at the skyscrapers, or pulling out the camera at every corner, there was little chance of us being mistaken for lifelong urbanites.

That all changed the morning of the race. Chicago marked marathon #25, so from the moment I stepped onto the staging area, I was right in my element. As the horn sounded, over 40,000 of us joined in racing the very same streets that seemed so foreign only hours before. But now, everything felt natural. Start slow. Get into rhythm. Set up for the corners. Merge to the side for the water stations.

The runners, total strangers only a day before, soon became like old friends. Meanwhile, Janice joined the throngs that lined the streets —streets that had transformed into a stunning array of  flags and signs from around the world.

Well over 110 countries were represented; it was a potpourri of  languages and cultures. Yet our love for running united us in a common cause: Reach the finish line, and enjoy the journey every step of the way.

As this marvelous event unfolded, however, I was struck by how these moments contrasted with the days before. My mind drifted to 1 Peter 2:11, a stark reminder of our place in this world as followers of Christ. We’re strangers, aliens. We walk these streets  the entire course of our earthly lives, yet our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

Then I began to examine my own life. Do I really feel like a stranger in this world. Is it obvious to a casual observer that I’m just passing through, that my purpose for being here is only temporary?

To be honest, Janice and I were pleasantly surprised by Chicago. It was much friendlier than we expected, with so much to do. There was a lot to like about it. We’re still talking about how we’d like to spend some more time there. But it isn’t home.

God has placed His people in this world for a critical purpose. There’s a race to be run. Challenges to be confronted. Victories to be secured. But we must not be taken in by the world’s appeal. We’re strangers, just passing through. The things we do, the values we embrace, might seem a little awkward to those who call this world home. We will stand out. And when we do, we open incredible doors of opportunity to invite others to join the race.

At the end of his life, the apostle Paul punctuated his final chapter with a goal worthy of all God’s people: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord … will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul had fixed his eyes on something far greater than this world. Once this race was run, he would enjoy a heavenly home. May we, too, live as those whose citizenship is not of this world.

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“It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”  –C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Like so many believers, I truly enjoy the writings of C.S. Lewis. I’ll be sharing some of his finest quotes from time to time.

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Here’s a Pentecostal Evangel article worth another look, five years later. Whether life threatens to overwhelm you today, or it seems as if things are coming together like never before, it’s always good to remember: God is in control.

Just click this link to check it out: Grade-A Faith

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