Justin Tucker
LHC Worship Pastor
Acts 17:24-27
24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Have you ever backed into something with your car? I know I have. I have backed into things in just about every vehicle that I have ever owned. The reason it generally happens is because our eyes are deceived by our mirrors. We look in the mirror and think “I’ve got plenty of room, I’m not that close”, we step on the gas, and then we hear and feel the impact of whatever it was that we backed into. Our failure to read the mirror is what got us in trouble…we didn’t heed the warning printed on it that “Objects Are Closer Than They Appear” and we are left to repair whatever damage we have done.
The Apostle Paul gave a similar warning in Athens. He saw that the people of Athens had many gods but that they didn’t know The Living God. He spoke to the transcendence of God when He spoke of Him being the Creator of the heavens and earth and the author and sustainer of all life. He also spoke to them as to how close that God is. All of creation was designed to point to Him so that humanity might seek Him, they might reach out and find Him. Some folks laughed at Paul that day but some wanted to hear more.
Be encouraged today. The Creator of the universe put the entire world into motion to get your attention. He created this world because He wants us to seek Him, reach out to Him, and find Him. He sent His son to pay the penalty for our sin. He has done more than we could ever ask for or deserve. The rest is up to us. It’s a personal responsibility and we see that in both James 4 and John 15. He has pointed all signs to Him. He’s not distant. He is closer than He appears. Seek Him, reach out for Him, find Him.