Feel Distant from God?

So God... where are you?  Do you really care what's going on in my life?  Don't you see the terrible things going on in our world?  In my world?

We tend to ask these questions most when we've been affected by sin (or bad people or circumstances) in the world.

As I live a life of free will, surrounded by a globe of people with free will, there are times I wish God would just swoop in and take care of the mess.  If I've lost my job... "God, get me a job!"  If a loved one is hurt, "God, heal them!"  If someone is dysfunction, "God fix them!"

If we don't have clarity on who God is, it's really hard to determine how God may or may not respond in our lives.  If God is who we want him to be with no basis of who he may be, we'll probably be disappointed. 

So what do we do then?  Here are just a few things the Bible tells us about God and the life we live:

• God says He will be with us.  Matthew 28:20  Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
• When times our good, we tend to live on our own strength without God... when they go bad, we wonder where God is... Job 35:12  People are arrogantly indifferent to God— until, of course, they’re in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them.
• We're going to have troubles in this world, even those who believe in Christ.  2 Timothy 3:12  Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it.
• The Bible gives us guidance on our decisions in life.  Psalm 119:105  By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.

• Even people in the Bible felt distant from God at times.  Psalm 55:1  Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don’t pretend you don’t hear me knocking.  (This was David, the same guy who killed the giant Goliath if you've heard that story)

Questions about God and doubt are normal.  You may have questions whether the Bible is really a worthy guide to life inspired by a real God.  (Another good question worth exploring)

We're going to continue the path this week as we explore more of our questions about God.  You don't even have to walk into a church building!  We're going to be running (2) online test services at 6:30 and 8:30 PM EST tomorrow (October 18th) at idochurchonline.com.  Jump on and check it out!