God is near. In the midst of so many things going on around us, God is near. Do you feel His presence?
God is near as we grieve.God is near as we seek guidance.
God is near when we’re lonely.
God is near every single moment.
Why does God feel distant to some? I think we can feel far from God if we intentionally ignore Him or live independently from Him. We can feel distant because we’re mad at God for something in life that happened. We can question God and literally say “Why did you allow this to happen, God?” The result? We step away from the One who knows and loves us the most. God has not left. We, humans, distance ourselves from God.
God is near in your grief. We grieve so much these days. We grieve for Uvalde and those that lost loved ones. We grieve for Ukraine. We grieve for the loss of treasured friends, family, and co-workers that left us way too soon. We grieve for other losses, those things that are too deep and personal for words. You know what you grieve today. God knows too. He is near. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8
God is near as you seek guidance about anything. God will guide you when you don’t see the way. I’ve seen it over and over in my life! I know He is able! Amid all the things that feel a bit blurry, would you trust the One who has His best interests in mind for you? “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
God is near when we’re lonely. I honestly think it was my depths of loneliness that drove me to need God as much as I did. If He was who He said He was, I needed that kind of love. The love that would never let me down! The love that was always with me! The love that would never betray me. That is our Father’s love. His love is perfect and totally available to you. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)
God is near every single moment. If I could pray one prayer for each of you it would be this: Dear God, please help ________ (your name) be aware of your presence today. Dear one, as much as you may not believe this, I want to tell you, it’s true. You may feel far from God today. But, today, you can begin to practice the presence of God. Practicing God’s presence is found in acknowledging His presence in every aspect of life. As we become more aware of Him and abide with Him, in everything we do, we’re literally locking arms with Him and partnering with Him in life.
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Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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