The opposite of misery is feeling god's presence

​Gregory Boyles says, "Our antidote to misery will always be to dwell in the oceanic, the ultimate, singular place where God wants to be found."

Which begs the question, I suppose, where is it that God wants to be found?

I guess God would answer that by saying everywhere. He would tell us he wants us to find him in everything we see and hear and smell and taste and say. He would say he wants us to find him in every second - in every breath.

God didn't create us for misery, he created us for him. Understanding that is understanding that God isn't possessive in wanting our every second, he's protective.

Maybe the opposite of misery really is dwelling in God.

Maybe it is in the sounds of this day saying, I hear you God.

Maybe it is in the smells of this day saying, I smell you God.

Maybe it is in the words we say this day saying, I hope you hear me God.

Maybe it's in the tastes of this day saying, I taste your goodness God.

And maybe it is in what we look at this day saying, I see you God.

Oh how I see you.

Because dwelling in God isn't changing where we stand, it's changing how we perceive the place we're in. Maybe our misery isn't because God isn't there, it's because we're not tuned into his oceanic, ultimate presence.

We humans have the capacity to overlook things that are larger than life. Which often allows life to overwhelm us with misery.

Try it today if you're inclined. In a moment where God feels absent, change the way you feel.

Feel him there.

Feel him in what you say and hear and smell and taste and see.