Have you ever had moments in your life where you felt distant from God? Maybe you are feeling completely alone right now. Maybe because of situations in your life, or changes, or even sin, you feel like your relationship with God is fading. I want to encourage you that God is not far from you.
God is not far from us.
“God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But he is not far from any of us.” Acts 17:27 ERV
I think it is important for us to realize that when we feel distant from God this is not a feeling that is based on reality. God is never distant from us, He is always near but we have to seek Him. Nothing can separate us from God’s love, but we have to be willing to live in that mindset. When you are feeling discouraged or distant, remember that you are not alone, God is right beside you.
God is always with us.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 ESV
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Our life can never get too messy for God. No matter what you are going through right now God is still with you. Although it can be very easy for us to move away from God when things get hard, God does not move away from us. It’s hard when we’ve broken our own hearts or when we are dealing with hard things to remember God’s presence. But if everything else in your life seems like it’s falling apart you can be confident that God is constant and that He is right beside you.
Jesus, draw me ever nearer.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 ESV
If you are feeling distant from God right now or just dealing with a lot, I want to encourage you to draw near to God. The last line in one of my favorite hymns, “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” says, “At the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness let me wake.” If your heart is being tested right now, choose to live in the likeness of Christ and the confidence that God is preparing something better for us.
God is never distant from us, and we can live in His peace and love all of the time. God wants us and wants us to have a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to take some time to grow closer to God and to live in the awesome reality that God is never far from us. Let Jesus draw you nearer to God!
*Some thoughts and ideas adapted from my good friend Andy Cantrell.
In Christian Love,
Julianna
