We worship in a cloud, unfocused
though we strain to see and feel
yet worship what we know
within unknowing, all our senses
clamoring for the Real:
-- the One who touches hearts
with joy, whose fingers reach to heal
the blinded eyes, deaf ears;
who feels our hurts because he hurt
as human-Godson, heart and soul.
-- the One who sees me,
eyes alert to know and care for me,
penetrating always to the core,
not fooled by the hypocrisy
I put on like a suit, looking good.
-- the One who hears me,
bending down to listen to my ramblings,
sorting out the whimpers from the whines
and hearing what the heart
most surely needs for health.
-- the One who smells
the fragrance of my praise, and blends it
with the songs of angels to concoct
aromas that unfurl in galaxies
and waken dances in the stars.
-- the One who made
the amber sweet of honey, salt’s allure,
hid cinnamon and coffee in the plants
along with things like pepper’s hot surprise,
and calls to me to taste his treats.
He is the God of all the senses,
never numb to what is happening
to his own. I pray. He comes,
he hears, he speaks, he enters me
and holds me in his never-ending love!1
We cannot see him, but we believe—so we are blessed! He often appeared hidden in a cloud, throughout Scripture, and we may feel that a cloud continues to bar us from a true understanding of our God. But we are blessed! Yes, in John 20:29 Jesus’ own words are preserved to give us this hope, some of his last words to his disciples after his resurrection:
Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (Jn. 20:26-31 ESV)
Having life in the name of Jesus is a gift that will last forever, and some day believers will all see him face to face. But how about now? The wonderful truth is that his Spirit lives in us, maintaining an intimate relationship and communication with God. We have to learn to notice his Presence, using the spiritual capacities he has renewed within us.
He is the Creator who made us with five senses. The use of our senses to know him has been urged even before we were given this precious advantage through the Spirit:
Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him! (Ps. 34:8 NET)
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! . . . Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (Isa. 55:1-3 NIV)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Ps. 73:23 NIV)
He also treasures fragrance. He underlined that it delighted him when his people brought offerings in recognition of his holiness and reception of their worship (11 times in Leviticus and 18 times in Numbers): they were a “pleasing aroma” to him. Then he assured that even his own people who turn back to him have that kind of fragrance:
As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. (Ezek. 20:41 ESV)
We are made in God’s image, which includes our senses; he communicates with us through them. Even when we struggle to listen, see, smell, taste, and feel him, he is right here, right with us. He is enjoying the efforts of his loved ones to pay attention to his touch, his words, his actions—his very essence. He feeds us with nourishment that builds us up and strengthens us for the challenges of life. And he notices and receives our humble attempts to respond with every facet of our being:
Praise the LORD, O my soul! With all that is within me, praise his holy name! (Ps. 103:1 NET)
He made us and knows us completely, intimately. He loves us. He lives in us! He has given us his Word that instructs us, teaches us, and his Spirit as constant Counselor. Even though we cannot see him physically, we can see his hand at work to accomplish his purposes. We can feel his comfort and the joy of true worship. Yes, we “worship what we know
within unknowing, all our senses clamoring for the Real”—and every effort we make to enter into yet deeper worship leads to greater understanding of the wonder of knowing him even now! We worship as though in a cloud but there is the Light of the World shining through!
He is the God of all the senses,
never numb to what is happening
to his own. I pray. He comes,
he hears, he speaks, he enters me
and holds me in his never-ending love!
1Linnea Boese, When He Whispers: Learning to Listen on the Journey. You can find my book of poetry on the discipline of listening at the following marketplaces:
Direct from the publisher, WestBow Press: https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/824658-when-he-whispers
Linnea's Lines 