God is real no matter what we feel. It is very easy to love God when things are going great in our live, when he has provided companionship, friends, family, health and strength, food, good times and a glass of wine to cap it all off.
It is not easy to love God when circumstances are not so pleasant, when things are not going our way, when we have lost control, when our life seems to be going down the tubes. How can we love God when God seems a hundred miles away?
Friendships are often tested by distance, separation and silence – we feel lost because there is no contact, no communication. In our relationship with God, there are times when we don’t feel particularly close. God at times seems uncaring, distant and detached. It could be that we are waiting for God to come to us. Or maybe it is that God is so close to us in those times that we just can't see him. Its like if you flash light in your eyes, the closer you get to the light the less you can see, in fact you can’t see anything at all.
God is a perfect gentleman. He never imposes himself on anyone. He desires a personal relationship but won’t force the issue. It has to be voluntary. It has to be mutual. God comes to us by way of invitation, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and we will share supper together.” Supper is the most intimate of meals!
God never promised – you will always feel my presence. He promised I will be with you always. It is utterly inconceivable that God would make a promise and not keep it. One of the mistakes we make is to seek an experience of God rather than seek God. But God is more than a feeling, infinitely more. Our feelings come and go. We blow hot and cold depending on our mood. We are more than our feelings.
Love is not fickle. Love is constant. The God who loves is always there. “I call you friends.” whether or not we feel God’s presence is beside the point. We are the friends he lived, love and died for. Nothing on earth can ever change that glorious truth.
Inspired by A purpose driven life.
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