Christians can easily fall into the trap of being bored with God. I know it would be really hard to vocalize that thought. Who would want to admit to being guilty of thinking that God is boring? Think about how celebrities make up a part of our newscasts. Some of them have done horrific things, yet throngs of screaming fans profess their undying love as certain celebrities walk into courthouses.

Where are God's screaming fans? Where are the followers who travel great distances just to bring Him their praise and hope for Him to glance at them? Where are the people who would sleep in the parking lot all night just to get a ticket to see God? Where are the supporters who would have His name tattooed on their arm or who would spend every day thinking about when they can see Him again?

I think Habakkuk was a genuine fan of God — maybe even a fanatic. It is the fame of God, the news of what God has done, that causes Habakkuk to stand in awe! It is his desire to see God's name grow in fame so that others would stand in awe as well. It is the marvellous mercy of God to which Habakkuk raises his praises.

I want to be God's biggest fan. I want to look at Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, and Martha Stewart and yawn. Move aside, Brad Pitt and Jeff Gordon! Clear the way, Britney Spears and Kenny Chesney! God is in the house, and He is more awesome than any of you. In fact, you will join us all one day and bow at His feet. Give it up for God!

Chris Thomlin was right when he wrote,

You are the Lord,
The famous One, famous One;
Great is Your name in all the earth.
The heavens declare You're glorious, glorious;
Great is Your fame beyond the earth.

There is a time to be silent and a time to shout! But in either, let us revere the name of the Lord!

Prayer: God, we want to fill our lives with praise for You. Help us to not to be distracted by the celebrities of the world, the possessions of life, or the activities of our daily routines. Keep our eyes fixed on Your Son, Jesus, and our minds in remembrance of all You have done for us. Amen!

Four or five years ago, I planted a row of gardenia bushes along the property line in my backyard. When I first planted them, they looked like a few twigs sticking up out of the ground. I didn't have much hope for them. All but one has survived, and they are now as tall as I am. Once every spring, they offer up a beautiful fragrant gift in their lovely white flowers. This year I missed the gardenias.

My house doesn't have a back door. We have two front doors, but no back door. So, if I want to go into the backyard, I exit in the front of the house and make my way around back. Other than mowing, though, I seldom have a reason to go back there. I'm a great indoors-man, and we just haven't done much with our backyard. Although I knew that the gardenias were going to bloom soon, I didn't go back to look. They have now bloomed and started to turn brown. A few recent rainstorms have beaten the tender blooms to pieces. I really do think it sad that I missed the gardenias.

I believe that the blessings of God's presence are often missed because we do not seek Him. We know He is there. We would admire His beauty. The fragrance of His leading is enchanting. We could be amazed at how recognition of His presence grows in our lives. But more often, I think, the gift of God's presence in our lives is a forgotten blessing that we miss after a time of neglect, seasons without prayer, steps taken without His guidance, bearing too many burdens because of guilt, and no time for Scripture to fill our hearts.

Thankfully, God is not an annual occurrence, but He is ever present with us. He is not beaten down by the storms of life, leaving us with regret and longing. He is the giver of an abundant life. He is within the grasp of our hearts. He is eager to be given a place of priority in our lives.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that even when we have missed the blessings You have provided, You are not fading away from us. Help us to see Your glory and to know Your presence each step of our journey. Amen.