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Day 3: When You Feel Far From God
Scripture:
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
~ Ruth 1:6-7
We have those days and times when we don’t feel close to God. It seems as if we are more distant from Him than we would like. I’m sure you know what this is like. You go to read the Bible, but don’t seem to get anything out of it. You try to pray but end up distracted and bored. When you hear others speak of their relationship with the Lord, your heart aches and you wonder if He even cares anymore.
Our story today speaks to this struggle when we feel distant from God. Naomi knows that she needs to return home. She was comfortable living in a strange country when her husband and children were alive, but now that they are gone, the comfort has vanished. So, she packs her bags and gets prepared to take the trip. But as we will see, even though her feet are traveling home, her heart is not going yet.
This is where many of us live, in the tension of trying to obey and follow God while we feel distant, numb, and confused. We know God is there, but we can’t see exactly where or what He is planning to do. And the thought of taking the first step terrifies us.
It’s clear that Naomi doesn’t feel like God is close. She feels alone, left to fend for herself. But feeling far from God and being far from God are not the same things. God created us as beings who have feelings and emotions, not some kind of stoic robots. Emotions aren’t the problem then, but rather what happens when sin comes into the picture. Instead of seeing life and our circumstances through God’s lenses, we view them through our often-distorted lens that seems to us to provide a clearer picture. What we feel then isn’t always what is actually true.
Even though Naomi is partially right, in that she isn’t close to the Lord, she doesn’t see the whole picture correctly. God is pursuing her and bringing her back to Him. Naomi’s feelings about being close to God are still a long way off. She won’t feel that way for some time. But God has already begun his work in restoring the relationship. The same is true for us. God doesn’t wait until we feel like a good relationship with Him to act. Even before we see it, God is already at work. He’s working to change our hearts and our steps bit by bit, degree by degree.
This is how God often works. You don’t feel like praying, but you pray anyway. You don’t feel like reading Scripture, but you do it anyway. You don’t feel like going to church, but you show up. And you don’t feel like trusting, but you take one small step towards Him anyway. These steps, even if they are small, are still reminders that God is working in us. These steps, even if they are ordinary and nothing fancy, are still the pathway back to the heart of Christ.
Even though Naomi doesn’t see it yet, God is already at work to bring her to the place He has in mind. The steps Naomi takes require faith, even if she can’t understand it. And maybe you are here in this spot today. Like Naomi, it feels as if you are taking one step in the right direction, but you aren’t sure what will happen next, and what you need to do.
The question before you then, is if you will trust God in the unknown. If you will trust Him even when you don’t feel like He is near. If you will be willing to take one step at a time, even if it’s down a road you think leads to nowhere. You know that the sun is still there when it’s foggy out, and you can’t see it. Like a child holding the hand of a parent, you can cling to God even when the feelings aren’t there.
Jesus is better than a storehouse of food. After all, He is the bread of life. If Naomi is willing to take the uncertain road home because of physical bread, how much more should we take the uncertain road of faith because of our certain Savior? Even if you don’t feel close to God today, He is not distant from you. He is pursuing you with goodness and mercy. He is drawing you back, not in one dramatic moment, but often moment by moment, grace by grace, step by step. And hear this please, Jesus will meet you in your dark.
He may not come with a blinding spotlight, but He always comes as the Light of the World who is steady, gentle, and faithful. He comes refusing to leave His people stumbling alone in the shadows and fleeing for their lives. He comes to take them safely back to Him. So don’t let pride keep you from taking the first step home. Don’t let shame convince you that you would be the town laughingstock. Don’t let numbness tell you that God is done with you. Don’t let fear whisper that you’ve wandered too far.
Your Redeemer is already on the road, walking towards you. He has a welcome planned for you that you can’t begin to imagine. Instead of shame, there will be celebration. So, take the step. Even if it’s filled with trembling and uncertainty. Jesus will meet you there.
Pastor Josh Gerber
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