God’s Search For You
Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
by Judi Lake
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How often do we say that something is “in God’s hands" and
want to believe it?
For me, one of the most difficult aspects of prayer is that
it demands so much faith and trust in God.
Do we really believe that He is listening to us? Isn’t it
easier to do things ourselves than to put it in His hands? Sometimes, it seems
hard enough just to stop working or worrying long enough to spend time with God
in prayer, let alone having the trust to turn over our lives to Him and let Him
handle our worries.
Our life with God is supposed to be an intimate relationship that works much the same as the
relationships we have with others. If we feel as though we have to do everything ourselves, we find ourselves not
only doing everything alone but
after awhile, are very much alone. Because we lack the trust to ask for help,
eventually, we become isolated and it becomes difficult to talk or listen to
others.
If, however, we work with others and let them share with us,
we grow in an awareness of our essential communion with other people; and
because we have shared responsibilities and play, sorrow and joy, we find it
much easier to communicate verbally and non-verbally as well.
From this very human fact of our experience, we should learn
something about our relationship with God. Because He is the most important
relationship in our lives, we should trust Him and let Him into the practical,
day-to-day side or our lives. We should let God act and not shut Him out. If we do allow Him in, our relationship takes on
all kinds of new dimensions. We have much to talk to Him about because He has
been sharing the whole day with us. Sine He’s been there with us, we can also be silent
together in the day’s failures and/or successes.
In order to reach this stage, however, we have to be able to
put some things in God’s hands and trust Him. For most of us, this is easier
said than done.
The person who can put things in God’s hands and trust Him
grows daily in the knowledge that for him who loves God, all things work
together unto good. Out of the great sorrows and pain of my life come goodness,
beauty and insight I never had before. French novelist, Leon Bloy (1846-1917)
once said that there are places in the human heart which do not yet exist,
and into the heart comes suffering, that they might have existence. Out of such a heart prayer rises naturally as
thanksgiving for the wholeness of everything that is, as a hymn to God who
draws good even out of what was thought as evil.
Most of our own anxieties about communing with God, I
believe, come from what preachers, authors and acquaintances say they
experience. The constant “high" that many share, is usually very different from
the darkness and emptiness we often feel. In truth, God comes to each one of us
in His own way and time and in the manner best suited to each person. He
doesn’t come according to a manual or primer of prayer, but according to our
need and readiness for Him.
Even when faith is low, many of us keep praying because
contrary to what many “pray-ers" proclaim, common sense tells us that God is
more loving and aware of who we are and what we need that those advisers in the
spiritual life who are more like Job’s accusers than wise men of the Spirit.
God loves each and every one of us. If only we could hold to
that above everything else. We long to believe it but others sometimes make us
doubt it because they don’t seem to care. And, of course, what we can see and
hear and touch affects us more that what we believe. It is only when belief
conquers experience that we are truly men and women of faith.
The search for God ends up in the end to be God’s search for
you. You take so many wrong turns just where you might have met Him at some
corner of your life. But in the end, He surprises you by finding you looking
for him in the wrong direction.
God comes your way, no matter how far afield you are. That is the story of God;
He goes out of His way for his children. You are that important; that is the
story of man.
©2008 Judi Lynn Lake. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Hi there chickie-poo, very warm and heartfelt. And so true. I love that you say until "belief conquers experience" what a wise statement. Thank you for reminding us that God finds us. You reminded me of when God went to find Adam in the garden after he sinned. Not that God didn't already know where he was, but God came to him. Now that is grace!! Love you bunches, LAs much as I'd like to take credit for this, I actually got the idea of this article from my Laura -- She and I were talking and she casually responded by saying to me, "Don't worry, Mommy, God will find him." Wow! from a 9 year old. And so there is value in holding on to a child-like spirit! Thanks, Miss T/L!Amen to that!
Well said Judi,I always have to remember that we love God because He first loved us. I have been writing much about leaving the end result in God's hands. I usually find life much easier and happier that way. Hugs and blessingsYes, Michelle, when we can understand that nothing we do is going to matter and learn to place our lives in His hands it does get easier! I still have a bookmark I had gotten when I was about my daughter's age (9) which reads something like, "If you were the only person alive, He still would have have died for you" - isn't that powerful? Yet true! God bless you and thanks for commenting! Hope you have a great weekend!
Judi, I remember the scene in the Passion of Christ when the devil or his angel was circling Jesus. A very powerful scene for me. Jesus was alone, totally, the most rejected person the world will ever know and yet He placed His faith in God the Father. We tend to forget Jesus was man, human and suffered as we do. You said it all eloquently and with much wisdom and yes "out of the mouth of babes" is so true. Peace, and blessing my good friend. RobertHi Robert!!! I am often humbled when "my Italian" gets up and I realize how humble Jesus and misunderstood Jesus was -- Somebody snubs you and anguish lingers yet His own rejected Him and put Him to death - very, very humbling. Oh, and trust me, I learn a lot from my Laura -- kids really have such a wonderful perspective on life and things! Peace back at you and wondering how your mom is? Hoping you have a really great weekend... maybe I can sleep in tomorrow?... mmm....
Awesome. Inspirational, revelant to modern times, expressing the respect for humanity shared by Christians throughout the world.And Mr. Ted, you truly humble me. I am glad this touched you; Inspired by Laura's wisdom, I wrote it from my heart - Isn't it great to be around the young ones and see life through their eyes?
hi judi girl,beautifully written. for some reason, maybe fear, maybe loneliness, maybe hurt from a dominating father, i have always talked to God like he was a little friend i kept in my pocket. i've needed him since i can remember, and i certainly need Him now.thanks for a great article,my best,sueThat's so weird, Sue, because ever since I was a child, I'd speak to Him as my best friend and would sorta bypass all the prayers we were taught -- I remember being younger than Laura and puffing my pillow and night so that He'd be comfortable while sleeping - I just always believed He was with me -- I guess us Catholic girls are weird, huh -- here you kept him in your pocket and I puffed pillows.... but you know what? I bet that pleases Him enormously! Don't ever forget that you need Him cause that's what will get you through all the nonsense! Thanks and thanks for being you!
Hi Judi,Beautiful article and very well written. You were right on when you said building a relationship is often done the same way we build relationships with others here. We need to talk with God, but we also need to learn how to listen. Praise the Lord that he always finds us regardless of where we make our turns in life. I will have to have my oldest daughter read this, I think she feels that God has kicked her to the curb. Maybe this will give her some hope and understanding. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.And thank you, Angie, for your kind comments. Don't be too upset about your daughter, I am sure that God's working with her and she'll eventually come around - I will pray for her as well as your family. The very best to you!