It was that kind of night. Several children and adults from our church traveled to the home of homebound or nearly homebound people to minister to them through caroling. As I sat on the couch in the home of two wonderful Christians, the man looked at the children and spoke of God. This is what he said:

“He is near.”

I agreed with him for two reasons.

First, God is near. He is much more near than we normally think. In fact, I think that we view God as “up there” or “out there” but not “here” at all. Even worse, we sometimes view God as “the man upstairs.” I’ve often wondered how God views that phrase. He is not seen as Lord, King, eternal, all wise, loving. He is simply the unknown, uncaring “man upstairs.”

Wouldn’t viewing God as He is change not only the way that we think but also the way that we act? Wouldn’t knowing that God is right here with me as I sit at my computer make a difference in my behavior?

I believe the aging saint understood God is right here. God knows and cares for us. He is present with us all and cares for us deeply.

Second, God showed Himself with those children. I watched as they ministered–really ministered–to people on walkers, in a hospital bed, generally incapacitated. They seriously gave their best to people in need of a touch. They sang and smiled their hearts out. God was right in the midst of those children. When it was over–later than we thought–they wanted to do it again next year. They didn’t get a gift or do anything fun and they said they loved it. They wanted to sing and they wanted to pray.

I thank God for them. We could use a lot more of what they have. “He is near.”

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