Day 14: "When God Seems Distant"

In college and in my past career in TV advertising sales I learned that it took a frequency of a person seeing an advertisement (at least) three times to associate the message with the brand. What I find interesting (And I didn't notice it when I first started blogging chapter by chapter) BUT its kinda happening for me that way... For the last week, it seems like I experience something that resonates with the next chapter that I discuss. Then I discuss how I apply it, making it (at least) the third time this information is cycled through my brain. Parts of these discussions overlap in different chapters which also helps me to apply it.

Man, this chapter.... It is pretty much a guideline of how to worship and keep communicating with God when we are mad and upset and feel forgotten and alone and worthless. We may feel that way with others OR With God himself.

This chapter ultimately tells us that God wants to see our faith and trust for him in action. Some people may see him "testing" us as  "unfair." Well... I don't really see it as testing us... It is just like a friendship...or any relationship for that matter. The older you get, the wiser you get. How much do you reveal to someone that has not earned your trust? How much do you reveal to someone who had your trust and abused it? I am SO thankful God has this figured out! I pray that he teaches me how to protect myself like he protects his kingdom.

One of the highlights of this chapter is to "tell God exactly how you feel." Well... on my way home tonight I unloaded some stuff on him in prayer. It sure wasn't all rainbows and butterflies either. I feel really bad now when I get mega grumpy about things b/c I know it serves no real purpose & I know I am wasting energy that could be put elsewhere...BUT sometimes it is really hard. I can tell you what it does do for me though... It makes me quite aware of my responsibility to deal with it.

I am so thankful to know of four people that read my blog and went and got this book! I know some of my blog posts probably show some levels of mental exhaustion...BUT... I'm considering giving myself a break after this reading and reading it again. I can be totally exhausted and want more all at the same time...

"Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel."

Daily verse: "For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5 (TEV)

Daily question: "How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?"

From my journal: I have felt this way on several occasions and what has helped me is honest, sometimes pretty constant, prayer. I think my new Rolodex-ish thing of Bible verses will tremendously help me in these times. I have had rising doubts crop but I've always renounced them as soon as they creep up. I give credit to my first real "Coming to Jesus Meeting" -  as I like to call them. At an early age, God made his presence known to me and I haven't forgotten it.

I am going to post a large portion from this chapter. My first time of reading it I sobbed (gasping for air & all). It amazes me at how soon we forget...

"We forget the cruel details of the agonizing sacrifice God made on our behalf. Familiarity breeds complacency. Even before his crucifixion, the Son of God was stripped naked, beaten until almost unrecognizable, whipped, scorned and mocked, crowned with thorns, and spit on contemptuously. Abused and ridiculed by heartless men, he was treated worse than an animal. Then, nearly unconscious from blood loss, he was forced to drag a cumbersome cross up a hill, was nailed to it, and was left to die the slow, excruciating torture of death by crucifixion. While his lifeblood drained out, hecklers stood by and shouted insults, making fun of this pain and challenging his claim to be God. Next, as Jesus took all of mankind's sin and guilt on himself, God looked away from that ugly sight, and Jesus cried out in total desperation, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' Jesus could have saved himself - but then he could not have saved you. Words cannot describe the darkness of that moment." -Pastor Rick Warren

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus. Considering his sacrifice it's the least we can do...