God Seems So Far Away. . .

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN:  "I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn’t heal.
When friends said, “Everything will turn out all right,”
    I didn’t believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head.
    I bow my head—then wring my hands.
I’m awake all night—not a wink of sleep;
    I can’t even say what’s bothering me.
I go over the days one by one,
    I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night,
    wondering how to get my life together." Psalm 72:2-6

CONSIDER:  Does God seem far away?  We all have to admit. . . there are days. . . days when God seems unavailable to our needs, days when we don't know where to turn. . . days when we feel like life has thrown us the proverbial curveball. . . days when we feel lost and we just aren't sure what to do. What can we do?

SO WHAT: I think when we are lost and struggling, and searching for God harder and harder so that we might get any Divine help that we might gain. . .  the answers seem elusive.  The answers to our prayers just don't come fast enough. We feel like Jesus in the wilderness, it's an uncomfortable place.

But the Psalmist goes on and offers this advice: "Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts."
Refreshing our sometimes short memories about all God has done. . . remembering what God has accomplished for us can re-center what is important and sort of anchor us in what is enduring and everlasting.  Will our difficulties go away. . . probably not, but we can find a little more assurance that God hasn't abandoned us before and God will not leave you or forsake you now.  

• Do you seem to be prone to have doubts about God's attention in your life?  When are these doubts most acute?
• Is it possible that our struggles arise out of pressures from things we need to face or change?

PRAYER: Loving and ever present Lord, give us your ears and inspire our best memories of your work in our lives.  Please lead us away form the anxieties and despair we sometimes feel and lead us into a deeper connection with you.  Amen