"Always There"

Sometimes while horseback I’m aware,

That though I cannot see Him there,

God’s presence hovers in the air,

And my stress drains away.

The peace surrounding me comes in,

Pushing out all that has been,

Replacing my frown with a grin,

He says I’ll be okay.

Raised inside the church house door,

We went a lot, then went some more,

No doubt what it all was for,

To point me to the Lord.

But after years it wore me out,

I misplaced what it’s about,

Should have kept on, there’s no doubt,

But I was just too bored.

Found out folks aren’t all the same,

Some never call on Jesus’ name,

Did not drop out, they never came,

And live life without Him.

I got homesick, really did,

Knew lots of things I should get rid,

But ol’ scratch sure made his bid,

And made my vision dim.

Then I met men who didn’t doubt,

Strong, successful had some clout,

And some were cowboys, sought me out,

They said it’s not too late.

Lived for Christ, gave their yessir,

Surrender that none could deter,

And kind to me, that’s what they were,

Threw wide for me the gate.

I found the Lord had never left,

There to restore the devil’s theft,

And give me peace I was bereft,

He’s always there, you see.

A-horseback or the meetin’ place,

Inside and out we’ll seek His face,

And none His presence can erase,

‘Cause He loves you and me.

“God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27, NIV)

When Paul preached in Athens he wanted to communicate the nearness of God. When I was a young Christian and trying to share Christ with others, they often said that they always felt the Lord was with them. in my immaturity I felt the need to emphasize how sin separates us from God. The truth, however, is that God really is with us. Paul went on to say that in Him “we live and move and have our being.” He was speaking to pre-Christians! God is close to all of us. But it does not follow that we all have a close relationship with Him. That when we receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. The One who has always been with us comes to live inside us. Then, whether we are gathered with God’s church or alone a-horseback in the pasture, His presence rules our lives.

Lord, help us to respect and cooperate with Your presence, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by Kirstie Lambert, used by permission. Thanks, Kirstie, and God bless you.