Reaching For The Invisible God - What Can We Expect To Find?

1. Faith is a journey of doubt and trust

"Faith appears where least expected and falters where it should be thriving."

Doubt as a catalyst. Doubt is not the enemy of faith, but often the skeleton upon which living faith grows. Many great saints, including Mother Teresa and C.S. Lewis, experienced periods of intense doubt. These struggles can lead to a deeper, more mature faith.

Trust despite uncertainty. Faith involves trusting God even when we don't have all the answers. It's about choosing to believe in God's goodness and love, even in the face of life's hardships and uncertainties. This trust is not blind, but based on our experiences with God and the testimony of others who have walked the path of faith.

Faith as a process. Faith is not a static state but a dynamic journey. It involves:

• Wrestling with difficult questions
• Persevering through times of spiritual dryness
• Learning to see God's hand in both good and bad circumstances
• Growing in our understanding of who God is and how He works

2. God's presence varies, but His love remains constant

"How faint the whisper we hear of him," said Job during the long period of God's silence.

Experiences of God's presence. Our sense of God's presence can vary greatly. Some people have profound spiritual experiences, while others may never feel a strong emotional connection to God. These differences don't necessarily reflect the depth of one's faith or God's love for them.

God's hiddenness. There are times when God seems absent or silent. This can be deeply distressing, but it's a common experience in the spiritual life. Even Jesus experienced this on the cross when he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Constant love amid varying presence. Despite the fluctuations in our experience of God's presence, His love remains constant. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith and can provide comfort during times of spiritual dryness or doubt. God's love is not based on our feelings or performance, but on His unchanging character.

3. Spiritual growth involves childlike faith and adult responsibility

"Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Childlike faith. Jesus emphasized the importance of childlike faith, characterized by:

• Trust without cynicism
• Openness to wonder and mystery
• Dependence on God

Adult responsibility. While maintaining childlike faith, mature Christians also grow in:

• Understanding of complex theological concepts
• Ability to wrestle with difficult questions
• Capacity to take responsibility for their spiritual growth

Balancing faith and maturity. The challenge is to maintain the simplicity and trust of childlike faith while growing in spiritual maturity. This involves:

• Continual learning and study of Scripture
• Developing spiritual disciplines
• Taking on responsibilities in service to others
• Maintaining humility and dependence on God

4. Suffering can be transformative in our relationship with God

"Storms are the triumph of his [God's] art," said the poet George Herbert.

Suffering as a catalyst for growth. While God doesn't cause suffering, He can use it to deepen our faith and character. Difficult experiences often lead us to rely more fully on God and can result in spiritual growth that might not have occurred otherwise.

Transformation through trials. Suffering can:

• Reveal our true priorities
• Deepen our empathy for others
• Increase our dependence on God
• Refine our character

God's presence in suffering. The Christian faith doesn't promise an easy life, but it does promise God's presence in the midst of our pain. Jesus himself suffered, demonstrating God's solidarity with human pain and providing hope for ultimate redemption.

5. The world is good, fallen, and can be redeemed

"The world is good. The world is fallen. The world can be redeemed."

Original goodness. The Christian worldview affirms the inherent goodness of creation. God declared all He made "very good," and this foundational goodness remains despite the Fall.

The reality of fallenness. Sin has corrupted the good creation, resulting in:

• Natural disasters and disease
• Human evil and injustice
• Broken relationships
• Environmental degradation

Hope for redemption. Despite the fallenness of the world, Christians believe in the ultimate redemption of all things. This hope is based on:

• God's promises in Scripture
• The resurrection of Jesus as a foretaste of future restoration
• The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world

6. Our relationship with God is like an arranged marriage

"Faith means taking a vow 'for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,' to love God and cling to him no matter what."

Commitment over feelings. Like an arranged marriage, our relationship with God is based on commitment rather than fleeting emotions or immediate benefits. We choose to trust and obey God even when we don't feel His presence or understand His ways.

Growing in love. Just as love in an arranged marriage often grows over time, our love for God can deepen as we walk with Him through various life experiences. This involves:

• Regular communication through prayer and Scripture reading
• Serving others in God's name
• Experiencing God's faithfulness in difficult times

Mutual commitment. God also commits to us, promising never to leave or forsake us. This unconditional love provides the foundation for our relationship with Him.

7. God works through irony, turning evil into good

"In a miracle of grace, our personal failures can become tools in God's hands as well."

God's unexpected methods. Throughout Scripture and history, we see God working in surprising ways, often using seeming failures or weaknesses to accomplish His purposes.

Redemption of evil. God doesn't cause evil, but He can redeem it for good purposes. Examples include:

• Joseph's enslavement leading to the salvation of his family
• The crucifixion of Jesus resulting in the redemption of humanity
• Personal tragedies becoming catalysts for growth and ministry

Our response to hardship. Recognizing God's ironic ways can help us maintain hope in difficult circumstances and trust that He can bring good out of even the worst situations.

8. The Christian life is about becoming our true selves in Christ

"I believe God has a similar goal for all of us, that we become more ourselves by realizing the 'selves' God originally intended for us."

Identity in Christ. The Christian journey involves discovering and becoming our true selves as God intended. This is not about conforming to a rigid mold, but about flourishing as unique individuals created in God's image.

Transformation process. Becoming our true selves involves:

• Letting go of false identities and harmful patterns
• Embracing our God-given gifts and calling
• Growing in Christlike character
• Serving others with our unique abilities

God's creative work. God is like an artist, working to bring out the beauty and potential in each person. This process often involves challenges and struggles, but ultimately leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

9. Spiritual disciplines nurture our connection with God

"I am learning that mature faith, which encompasses both simple faith and fidelity, works the opposite of paranoia. It reassembles all the events of life around trust in a loving God."

Importance of spiritual practices. Regular spiritual disciplines help us maintain and deepen our relationship with God. These practices include:

• Prayer
• Scripture reading and meditation
• Fasting
• Worship
• Service to others

Cultivating awareness. Spiritual disciplines help us become more aware of God's presence in our daily lives. They train us to see life from God's perspective and to trust Him in all circumstances.

Growth through habit. Like any relationship, our connection with God grows through consistent interaction. Spiritual disciplines provide a structure for this ongoing interaction, even when we don't feel particularly spiritual or motivated.

10. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith

"God now lives inside, in the inner self, and seeks ways to bring harmony to those two selves so that we are not split but have a unified identity."

Indwelling presence. The Holy Spirit lives within believers, providing guidance, comfort, and strength. This intimate presence of God is a unique aspect of the Christian faith.

Empowerment for service. The Holy Spirit equips believers with gifts and abilities to serve God and others. These gifts are diverse and are meant to be used for the common good of the church and the world.

Transformation from within. The Holy Spirit works to transform us from the inside out, gradually conforming us to the image of Christ. This process involves:

• Conviction of sin
• Guidance in decision-making
• Producing spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, etc.)
• Illumination of Scripture

Ongoing relationship. Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is dynamic and requires ongoing cooperation. We are called to "keep in step with the Spirit" and to be continually filled with the Spirit.

Last updated: August 13, 2024