Where are you, God?

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Why would God make this declaration, this outrageous promise? He distinctly said the words in both the Old and New Testaments. The idea was and is essential to Him. (Deuteronomy 30:6 and Hebrews 13:5)

There is an insight into the heart of God regarding this Divine utterance in the first and last books of the Bible. Humans start out in a Garden with the presence of eternal God. Those humans who choose to accept the offer will end their humanity in the eternal presence of God. The whole of the Biblical story is given to introduce humans to their Creator, how they got separated from Him, and what He is doing to reconnect with His creation.

The motivation for God’s promise to be present is He enjoys being with what he created! To God, we are not a desktop ant farm for his amusement. God loves to love! But humans, on the other hand, just love to be loved.

Humans were created out of God’s love, for God’s love, and to be God’s love. We were not crafted to be a reservoir of love. We are uniquely gifted to be a functional piece of God’s love in action.

When that is forgotten, or ignored, or manipulated, humans are cut off from the Source. Resulting in the feeling of being unloved or that God no longer cares about us. We feel alone in the universe.

There are also times in human history, in general and your history in particular, when God has a greater purpose of his love that we cannot yet see. In those times, we wonder if God cares or is even real.

Ever since God removed His Garden from humans, we feel His absence. And we do not like it even a little bit.

God, our Creator, is intent on telling us He continues to love His human creation with unimaginable love. You may not feel God’s love today, but be assured you are in your Creator’s compassionate gaze. All day! Every day!

One more thought, if you are in a time wondering where God is, talk to Him about it. Be honest. Ask Him to show you what’s up. Be sure to open up your life for His answer; it just might hurt a little.

(We will pick this topic up again.)

Photo – If you and bet past all the wires the church has an interesting name. Not sure what it is “two miles” from or a reference to Jesus’ challenge to his followers to go the the “second mile.” It is located between Pineville and Harlan, KY.