The Struggle is Real

“Why LORD, do you stand far off?" Psalm 10:1

The absence of God in my life is a real struggle for me. I know in my heart that He isn’t far, but in the day to day struggles of life, I often feel a lack of His presence in my life, and this week has been no exception. It is nothing that God is doing to make me feel this way; it is what I do or don’t do that makes me feel that God is far off. Maybe it’s a particular sin in my life, or an anger in my spirit, or a lack of personal investment in my relationship with Him. All of these things can make the struggle real for me in my perception of God’s absence in my life.

Luke’s gospel tells a story that helps us identify the one obstacle that keeps us from being close with God - it is the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Luke tells us that Martha was “distracted with much serving”. He doesn’t say that she was busy or overly committed, but that she was distracted. Now, to be distracted means to have your attention diverted and it is distraction that becomes our greatest obstacle in our closeness with God. So, what is distracting you from your relationship with God? Work? Family? Your addiction? Sin? Your health? Your smart phone?

The truth is that we all face distractions in our life and it is what we do during those distractions that matter. Later in the story of Martha and Mary, “...you are anxious and troubled about many things” (in other words you are distracted with many things) but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42-42). For Martha and for us, the one thing needed to help us understand the truth that God is never far off is to be with Jesus no matter what else is going on around us.

Jesus made God’s presence available to anyone who wants it. So, if distraction is our greatest obstacle in feeling God’s presence in our lives, then all we need to do is invite Jesus into whatever we are doing at that moment... “Jesus, in this moment, I invite you to be with me.” You see, we don’t need to stop what we’re doing to be with Jesus and feel close to God. We just need to invite Him to be with us.

“Lord, today I commit my day to your care.”

“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” Dr. Seuss

~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)

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Divine Distance

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God is Close