Unpredictable. Scary. Ever Changing. Joyful. Busy. Sad. Unstable. Beautiful. Hard.
This is life.
Life can be so many things at different times for different people. One moment all can be going right and in a blink of an eye…or over a period of time, things can take a dramatic turn for the worst. Life can be chaotic. We all have busy lives that are filled with work, kids, tasks and never-ending to-do lists, places to go and things to do. Not that being busy is always bad but unfortunately through all the chaos that is life it can be easy to go about our days and sadly lose sight of God.
To be honest, these last few weeks have been extremely difficult for me for many reasons. As I was overcome with a whirlwind of emotions and circumstances out of my control, I was reminded of this truth, and it made me step back and evaluate my life and my relationship with The Lord. During this season I have had to face multiple family situations that shattered my heart and I had to navigate uncomfortable personal and financial circumstances that only resulted in worry, pain, anger, and loneliness. To me, it felt like everything around me was falling apart and all I could do was sit, with a broken and heavy heart, and watch it crumble. In frustration and discouragement, I walked my backyard one night as the sun was setting, and with tears streaming down my face I asked God, “Where are you?”. I begged him for help. For strength. For peace. For wisdom. I was empty. I was broken. I was desperate.
When the world around us is crashing, and all we see is insanity and all we feel is pain…often the response can be “God???”
Ever been there?
Bank account = ZERO.
Loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Mountain of bills you have no idea how you will pay.
Loss of a job.
Unexpected medical diagnosis.
Marriage falling apart.
Sick loved one.
House foreclosure.
Loss of a loved one.
Broken friendship.
We know because scripture tells us that “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) But if we are honest, many times, in our lowest and most desperate times, we can question where He is.
The truth though that came to my heart that evening, is that in our lowest times when we tend to question where God is, do you ever think God is saying “I’m right here…I have been waiting for you to recognize me”.
I have learned that it is often when it seems like everything in our lives is disappearing or falling apart…those are the times we intentionally and passionately pursue God, we become desperate for Him. And yes, those are the perfect opportunities for us to draw closer to God. But let me pose a question… if everything was great in our lives all the time and nothing ever went wrong, would we still call out to God? Would we still pray? Would we still seek to see Him desperately? We can go through this life so nonchalantly sometimes, almost ignorant of God’s presence until “life” happens and it’s in those moments where we stop and look up crying out “God..?”
Psalm 50:15 says; “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” And Psalm 46:1 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
But what about when things aren’t bad? What about when they are going pretty well? Do you ever think about the fact that maybe God wants to be there with you when it is all good too? Maybe God wants to be a part of the joys you experience and not just help you get through the pain. God wants to be there when you open your eyes in the morning, or when you are driving to work as you are singing of key in the car…when you are at the little league game watching your little one run the bases (or play with the butterfly in the outfield if your kids are anything like mine lol) or join you in celebrating another birthday or anniversary…..don’t you think God wants to be a part of those moments too? It is like having a friend who only calls you when they need something. They never call you to go shopping with them or grab a bite to eat just to chat. They never include you in any celebrations or want to share in the joy of successes. Only when there is a mess in their lives that they can’t handle do they call you…..is that any kind of relationship to have?
In our times of distress, as we call out for God, I believe he lovingly and softly responds’ ‘I am right here…I always have been”. He is always there, just waiting for us to acknowledge him. He doesn’t just want to be there when things are tough, and we are in a mess and need help. No, he wants to be involved in every aspect of our day. He wants to be there in good times and in bad. He wants us to walk with him, talk to him, sharing our setbacks and successes, our ups and downs, our pains and our joys. He wants to be a part of it all. And honestly, I feel if we keep him involved in all aspects of our lives….we won’t get as easily sucked into the currents of doubt, questioning where He is when the tough days come and pain and fear begin to knock at the door of our hearts.
2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “We walk by faith, not by sight “and that is a truth to be lived out daily as believers in Jesus Christ. It is easier said than done sometimes but I believe if we live a life in constant relationship with The Lord, this scripture will come naturally. No matter what we feel or see, we have a solid foundation in whom we can trust. We have an unshakeable rock that will hold us up even through the fiercest storm.
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”.
I pray we begin to invite Jesus into every aspect of our days, building a strong relationship with Him that He so desires to have with us because He alone is our source of joy, of peace, of strength for all situations and He is the truest friend we could ever have, one that does not just want to help in the bad times, but one who wants to share in the laughter and joy of the good times too.