Completely Satisfied in His Presence

I heard this phrase in a song the other day – In your presence, God, I am completely satisfied. I think this is an accurate statement, buy why? What makes it true? Why is it so satisfying when we are completely immersed in God’s presence? The only way I can answer these questions is with two pictures:

One of the most beautiful sights in all of God’s creation is the night sky. I love to sit in a completely dark setting where it seems you can see every single star. There aren’t many things more peaceful than this. When you look up you can’t help but truly appreciate the awesomeness of God. You can’t help but realize that you are not the center of the world, that the universe is bigger than your life. And we don’t even see the light from the stars in real time. It takes years for us to finally see that a star has burnt out. There is something – someone – that even transcends time. When you look up at the greatness of the universe you feel insignificant and weak. But at the same time you feel peace, satisfied, like your insufficiencies don’t matter. Like a burdened has been lifted from your heart. It is satisfying – completely satisfying.

The second picture is on the beach, staring out over the ocean. Waves come crashing on shore in almost rhythmic fashion. Kids build sand castles in attempt to control the waves but their efforts are worthless. Your eyes gaze farther and farther out until you’re looking at sky. You can’t even see the end. Men build massive structures to control weather conditions but their efforts are as worthless as the kids' sand castles. This ocean could wipe out an entire city. It’s completely beyond your control. Nothing you do will have an effect on this creation. Nothing you do will control the flow, the color, the size, the make-up. It is bigger than you. Something bigger than you is responsible for it. Something - someone bigger than you is at work in this world. Staring out over the ocean you can’t help but feel completely weak and insignificant. And that’s okay. It’s peaceful, like a burden has been lifted. In your weakness and insufficiencies the waves still crash. The rhythm isn’t broken. And you don’t even desire the strength or responsibility to have control because you know it’s too great – too great for mere man. But you aren’t afraid. You aren’t sad. You are satisfied in that weakness because someone strong and powerful is in control. And someone that creates something so beautiful is filled with love, attention, and compassion.

Being completely satisfied in His presence is being completely satisfied with your weakness and His strength. Giving up your burdens for His will. Giving up worldly desires for eternal life. It is letting go. It is humility and understanding your lack of control is exactly how it’s supposed to be. The waves will still crash, the moon will still rise.

Psalm 8:3-5
“The universe declares your majesty.” – Third Day, God of Wonders