Where is God in the World?

Today we begin a three week sermon series entitled: "Where is God?" This week we're focusing on, "Where is God in the world," then, "Where is God in my life," and concluding with, "Where is God in my suffering." Each week we will follow Old Testament Biblical figures and look for the presence of God in their lives, and how that mirrors our own. This week we will begin at the beginning and enter into Adam and Eve’s life, next week Jacob and concluding with Job. Each week you will be invited to look for the presence of God- in the world, in your life and in your suffering.

Today we begin: Where is God in the world?

Have you ever asked this question? I have. It seems as though this question is as old as time itself. Today I will read from Genesis, from the beginning of time, the world has already been created, as have Adam and Eve, things are going great, until the serpent enters. I invite you to follow along:

Genesis 3.1-13:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord GOD had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, "You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

They heard the sound of the Lord GOD walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord GOD among the trees of the garden. But the Lord GOD called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." Then the Lord GOD said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate."

...and I ate- temptation- the fateful bite from the tree of knowledge. It seems as though, as Eve is having a casual conversation with the serpent, God is absent... or at least not hanging around- listening in on the conversation. Where in the world was God? Couldn’t God have interrupted this original sin so that we too might not be plagued with it?

This Old Testament story has been handed down from generation to generation to speak about who God is... and who we are- and today it speaks about our relationship with God- and where in the world God is. This story taught in Sunday school helps to explain why, at times, we seem distanced from God. Let’s look closer at the story.

The crafty serpent and the woman Eve are having a conversation- being a woman of curiosity Eve looks closer at the tree that the serpent speaks of and realizes that it doesn’t look dangerous like God had indicated, in fact, she desires it and so she boldly grabs the fruit and takes a bite, YUM! Next she offers some to her husband Adam, without saying a world, he willing bites into the delicacy, and then he ate.
What’s so wrong about a bite of knowledge, what would be wrong about being like God? The point here seems not so much about knowledge but about trust. God has specifically told his creatures, Adam and Eve, not to eat of the tree, the consequences would be death. God has asked that they place their trust in him and that God would promise to give them everything they needed, trust... God is God and we are not, it’s that simple... or not so simple. What happens next is telling, and helps explain our distance from God.
In the very next sentence their eyes were opened and they knew that they were naked, naked here means more than simply not dressed, it also indicates a new way of being, before the bite Adam and Eve were open, no secrets-vulnerable, yes- but just before this eating incident being naked was beautiful and acceptable and safe, nothing to fear.

Now, after the bite, they covered themselves from each other and they hid from their Creator, God. Did you hear that? They hid, not God... But the Lord GOD called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" God pursued Adam and Eve even in their disobedience, kept the relationship alive not giving them what they deserved--death--but pursued them, and invited them into a conversation.

Art often helps us explore meaning, giving us new insights to ponder. Today I invite you to look at the image on the front of your bulletin. These two almost touching fingers are part of the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. In the fuller picture you see an all-powerful, majestic God surrounded by angels riding on what seems to be a chariot, and a simple man, Adam, representing all of humanity.

If you look carefully at the painting(and your bulletin cover), you notice that the finger of God is extended toward the human with great vigor. In the bigger painting God twists his body to move it as close to the human as possible. His head is turned toward the human, and his gaze is fixed on him. God’s arm is stretched out, his index finger extended straight forward; every muscle is taut. God’s entire being is wrapped up in his impatient desire to close the gap between God’s-self and this human. God can’t wait. God’s finger comes within a hairs-breath of the man’s hand. In this painting Adam has already been given physical life, his eyes are open and he is conscious, and now he is being offered life with God, in the garden.
Apparently one of the messages that Michelangelo wanted to convey is God’s relentless, unyielding determination to reach out and be with the person, and now the people, that God has created. God is as close as God can be. But having come that close,he allows just a little space so that Adam (and Eve) can choose, the beginning of free will. God waits for the human to make their move, and they do, and we do over and over again.

Adam is more difficult to interpret. As seen in the picture on your bulletin his finger reaches out lazily. In the bigger painting, his arm is partially extended toward God, but his body reclines in a lazy pose, leaning backward as if he has no interest at all in making a real connection. Maybe Adam assumes that God, having come this far, will close the gap. Maybe Adam is indifferent to the possibility of touching his creator. Maybe Adam lacks the strength. It seems that all Adam would have to do is simply lift a finger.

Every time I see this picture, either the two fingers as printed on your bulletin, or the entire painting, it reminds me that God is closer than we think. It also reminds me that the story of the Bible is not primarily about the desire of people to be with God; it is the desire of God to be with people.

The central story in the Bible is not “I will forgive you”- although that promise is there. It is not the promise of life after death- however we are offered that as well. The most frequent promise in the Bible is- “I will be with you.”

Before Adam and Eve ever bit into that forbidden fruit or needed forgiveness, they were promised God’s presence. God would walk with them in the garden. Even after the bite- the mistrust- God was still there now looking for them- where are you?- he asks.

This promise was made to many in Scripture, to Noah, Abraham and Sarah, to Jacob and Joseph, and Moses, to David and Amos and Mary and Paul, many others too numerous to list. It is the reason for courage: Do not be afraid, fear not, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. It kept them going in the darkness of life: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, and gave them joy on the mountaintop.

When God came to earth, incarnate in Jesus his redemptive name was Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus died on the cross for us, put to death for our sins. When Jesus returned to heaven, his promise was to send the Spirit reminding his followers that: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The alpha the omega- the beginning the end. Grace, for us, God is with us. Fear not, the promise is also for you!

Set aside for now the question of to what extent any of us is capable of experiencing God’s presence in our current state or condition. Set aside your past failures or future worries, that you are not worthy because neither am I. The teaching of Scripture is that God really is present right here, right now. Michelangelo’s painting expresses spiritual reality. God is constantly reaching for us, bending and twisting to get as close as he can, the alpha the omega, the beginning the end, I will be with you ALWAYS until the end of time- not sometimes, not just occasionally but ALWAYS- even when we hide- God is there!

Increasing our capacity to experience the presence of God takes practice, it takes awareness, like looking for Waldo.

The image of God that Michelangelo created has become famous, most likely because it speaks of the strength and majesty, dignity and strength that we associate with the God of the universe, immortal, invisible God only wise, and this is one picture of God. But when God did come down to be with us, Emmanuel, he did not look like that at all. It was as if God put on Waldo’s goofy-looking glasses and a striped shirt. He looked ordinary. He had no majesty. In fact he was weak, even despised.
So God came down from heaven, born in a manger, and got a job in the construction industry pounding nails, a carpenter, the family business. God was on every page, but no one recognized him, because everyone was expecting somebody who looked like the guy on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Where’s God? He’s right around the corner. He is lurking where you least expect him. God is right here, in our midst.

This IS My Father’s World, an old hymn says, "He shines in all that’s fair... in the rustling grass I hear him pass, he speaks to me everywhere." Scripture is full of what might be called the "everywhereness" of God. God talks through burning bushes and braying donkeys; sends messages through storms and rainbows, earthquakes and dreams, even whispering in a still small voice. God speaks (in the words of Garrison Keillor) in ordinary things like cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, tending animals and sweet corn and flowers, through sports, music and books, raising kids, all the places where the gravy soaks in and grace shines through.

Where is God in the world?

For centuries people have stood in line to view the picture of God and Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But what if the miracle that is hinted at on that painted ceiling became a reality in our lives --yours, mine. What if an artist, a creator greater than Michelangelo is at work in the canvas of our ordinary days? It can happen anywhere, anytime, for anyone. All you have to do is lift a finger. Trust God to be God. God is closer than you think. Thanks be to God!