Closer Than It Appears

Photo by Leah Adams

Have you ever felt abandoned by God?

Sure you have. Very few have not. The feelings of abandonment by God usually happen when life take a negative or unexpected turn. Life is rocking along; everything going as planned….the job is good, there is enough money in the bank account, the kids are behaving, your marriage is wonderful, the doctor gives you a good report on your yearly check up, vacation is right around the corner….all is right in your world. Then, the bottom drops out and you are left hanging by a thread, with that deer in the headlights look. As the initial shock wears off, you find yourself wondering why God decided to take a vacation at that exact moment.

It happened to Greg and me in 2007. In 2006, we had purchased the property that joins our land. The real estate market in north Georgia was at its peak and the economy was strong. There was a small home on the property that we had no plans to use. So, we decided to undertake a massive construction project that doubled the size of the home and added a 2-car garage. Our plan was to sell it as a spec home. About halfway through the project,……. BOOM!!!!!!.…….the bottom dropped out of the economy and we were shell-shocked. It took two years to sell the home. We gave away the land and lost over $100,000 on the deal.

Lord, hello? Are you there?

What in the world?

Why did you let this happen?

I felt abandoned by God. On good weeks, I would reassure myself that God would never abandon His child. On not-so-good weeks, Satan’s voice could be heard whispering in my ear that God was not interested in listening to my whining.

What I was unable to sense in the middle of the emotional and financial upheaval was that God was exactly where He had always been. He was close by my side, hearing my prayers and working out the details of what seemed to me to be a disaster.

But now, this is what the LORD says:…..”Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)

God is always nearby. He never leaves His child. He never abandons you. He never goes AWOL. He is always as close as your next breath. Do not let the devil convince you that God is far-away and uninvolved in the circumstances of your life. You may not always feel His presence, but He is always closer than it appears and He is always at work in your life. ALWAYS!