When God Shows Up

by Jon Hathorn on June 10, 2024

"Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Declares the Lord." Jeremiah 23:23

When I was growing up, we used to go to the park and play baseball and/or football almost every week. Usually, it was just a bunch of guys from my street, but every once in a while, it would be quite a few guys - and it would be one neighborhood against another. When it was against another neighborhood, I was glad that and hopeful "HE" wasn't there. He was just good, he was intimidating, he was loud, and he completely changed the entire game and enjoyment. When he showed up - everything changed.

What does it mean when we say, “God really showed up!” We tend to say that from time to time when we are in the middle of an awesome Christian concert or at a moving church service. It can be an expression used when you have a difficult conversation with someone, and it turns out positive. But, back to the expression. I mean, isn’t God everywhere? There is no place in all of creation where God is not present. He’s already showed up. Jeremiah 23:23-24, “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? Declares the Lord.”

The phrase "God really showed up" refers to a moment in time, in the middle of a situation, where we perceive that God has left us a thumbprint of the clear expression of His presence. We see in Scripture that God’s desire is for all mankind to see and experience Him in everything and everywhere. While talking with the men of Athens about the existence of God, Paul declares, “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' I hope you would pray regularly for God's presence to be felt and seen and to be ministering in you and through you.

What is the result of God showing up.... Some scoffed, some wanted to hear more, and “…Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” Acts 17:34. I guess you could say, “God really showed up!”

May the presence of God Almighty be real to you today.

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."