Coram Deo

Every morning, Lucy, my 125lb Great Dane and I go for a walk. One particular morning was enveloped with a thick fog. My face tingled with the sensation of it on my skin. I could see the air I was breathing, feeling the weight of it pass over my lips, slide across my tongue and then fill my lungs. I was accutely aware of its presence and the life it brought to my body as we moved along the path. As the day wore on, the sun rose to its position, and the thick morning mist dissipated while I rushed through the remainder of my day, still breathing in and out, entirely oblivious to the life-sustaining air filling my lungs.

I often hear weary or exasperated expressions like, "But God feels so far away," or "I don't feel Him when I pray." I too have experienced seasons where God seems quiet; times when He doesn't feel present. In those moments I can feel anxiety, needing to create order and answers that make me feel security and worth. Often, I am unaware that my busy activity is a way of coping with the lies that my mind is believing in God's supposed absence in my life.

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Just because we can't see or feel the air,

doesn't mean we are void of it's presence.

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But what if I could move through my day differently? What if I had a continuing awareness of the presence of God? Several years ago I came across a concept embodied in the Latin phrase, Coram Deo. In an article by R.C. Sproul I learned that Coram Deo was "a call to live before the presence of God, under the authority of God and for the glory of God." Another devotion I read described as "living face to face with God." I was instantly reminded of those sweet moments when my boys would smoosh their face against mine. Nose to nose I was aware of their sweet breath on my lips, the feel of their soft cheeks in my hands, and the intensity of their gaze that would eventually sucumb to giggles of joy. In that moment my boys would be still and we would experience an intimacy and joy that could carry me through the rest of the day. We were created to live in intimacy and joy with the Lord.

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I have set the Lord continually before me,

because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also dwells securely.

Psalm 16:8-9

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Coram Deo is an intentional awareness of God's presence. It requires me to slow down in the busyness of my day and pull the face of God close to mine. I must quiet the emotions that fill my mind and notice how the character of God brushes up against the brokeness of my life bringing peace, healing and joy. In that moment of intimacy I am able to release all that I am holding into Jesus' hands and leave there under His power.

So how do we live face to face with God?

I have found that it is the spiritual rhythms of my life that pull me in close to the Lord. There are a couple of different ones that have been helpful depending on the season of life. Four practices have become essential for me: morning scripture, solitude for stillness, breath prayers, and gratitude. Starting my day in His word reminds me of who He is - His character. It informs my identity, fueling my purpose. Sometimes life gets so busy that I can't manage all the thoughts and words in my head. Drawing away to a seculded place allows me to be still. I can even in that space breath scripture and prayers. But breathing through scripture is something I can do at any point of my day. My favorite is to step into nature in some fashion, breath deeply and recite whatever verse I am trying to memorize moving through each portion with a deep breath. Finally, pausing to be thankful always changes my heart attitude. There's no right or wrong way to do this. What matters is the intentionality and frequency with which I engage with the Lord.

Maybe life is full and you need to exchange the busyness for a still moment. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by anxiety because your situation feels insurmountable. Your heart is weary, your mind exhausted and your body feels the weight of it all. Come my friend, come in closer to the face of Jesus. Rest your forehead on His, breathe deeply and know the intimacy of His presence.