Permanence

There are times in our lives when God seems to whisper to us with the delicate mystery of surprise.  And then there are times when God seems to overwhelm us with the continuous presence of an abiding, enduring sense of knowing.  It's then-- when God goes beyond our need to feel Him and permeates into our innate sense of believing-- that His presence is most known and, surprisingly, most felt.

  per·ma·nence

    noun /ˈpərmənəns/ 
     permanences, plural

      The state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely

God's presence is becoming a permanence.  It's gone past the immature stage of resting on the shifting waves of emotions and has become settled and secure on the rock, a firm foundation.  His presence overwhelms me as I am able to skype my parents while they are at home in Pittsburgh getting ready for bed and I am in Thailand starting my day; His presence floods my heart as I am able to connect with friends from home on convictions and waiting on the Lord; His presence submerges me, not drowning but covering me, as I continue to walk, day in and day out, through this dark city of Bangkok and still be able to see that there is not only a future but hope for these people.

My prayer is that you find this permanence too.  May God overwhelm you so much that you can feel nothing as strong as His divine, sweet presence; and yet it's not the feeling of God being present but knowing that He is, has been, and will always be there that makes feeling His presence a reality.