09.16.05
Closing the Gap
Commit the will to God, and immediately you will find Him near. Not because He has moved any closer, for He has always been at hand, but because you have finally allowed yourself to be near.
Sometimes we feel that God is distant. I myself have felt this way for quite awhile now.
We may feel God has left us to fend for ourselves. In a way He has, but He has not forsaken us. God appears to leave us sometimes so we can grow. Parents cannot always be at their children’s side if the children are to come into their own.
We may feel, furthermore, distant at some spiritual level. Not only does God seem to ignore our prayers but I no longer “feel His presence”. However, God allows us to lose the sensations of spiritual high because He wants to give us a choice. We are not impelled to follow Christ by surging emotions, but in the quiet we must choose. “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were.”
Sometimes we feel especially kindled with fervor. A Christian life is not led by such passionate impulses as that which constitutes emotions, but by love.
In seeking to be restored to the right place with God, do not try to climb back up to a spiritual high like you might have had when first you decided to commit yourself to Christ. Just commit yourself by your will. “Spiritual highs” come and go. They are not bad in themselves, but they are only a catalyst.
Feeling distant? Ceaselessly steel your very will to that of God’s, realize that you are near, and you are near. The entire Christian life — a life of Love — is a constant affair of the will.
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Christine said,
September 17, 2005 at 12:36 am
Very interesting blog entry.
You mentioned that you ‘no longer “feel His presence”.’ I went through a similar experience recently, and I found it to be very trying. You’re in my prayers.
While I don’t precisely disagree that “God allows us to lose the sensations of spiritual high because He wants to give us a choice”, I’m not entirely sure that I agree with what you’re saying. I do see where you’re coming from that this is how God allows us to exercise our free will, but you make it sound like it’s a permanent loss. I feel that a better way to think of it is as an invitation: we no longer are surrounded by bliss, but are invited to find it on our own.
And I agree with you totally that spiritual highs come and go. I’ve found that they can sneak up on me unexpectedly, and I need to appreciate them while I have them, because when I lose them I may be closer to God, and pray more (there are no atheists in foxholes), but I’m really in no position to indulge in the quiet worship of God that you mentioned could be a challenge at times a couple of blogs back.
When I completely lose the feeling of the Presence I can’t do anything, but I find that it’s when I feel alone and helpless that I feel God mose deeply, even though I can’t feel a spiritual high. And for me it’s the low times that cause me to rededicate myself to God, because they are when I remember how much I need Him.
Chris said,
September 17, 2005 at 6:08 pm
Hey bily
I’m going through something similar right now. It’s likely a sign for one of two things. One, there’s something specific that’s really really wrong in what I’m doing that’s keeping me, or two, it’s a sign of moving towards maturity. Without the subjectivity of spiritual highness to convince us we’re headed in the right direction, I believe God uses this time to train our wisdom, discernment and judgement in an objective manner.
PlayerWon said,
September 21, 2005 at 6:02 pm
Yes Christine you’re exactly right. I didn’t mean to say it’s permanent. Thanks for making what i mean more clear.
Mike Purvis said,
October 16, 2005 at 2:59 am
I found this very encouraging and inspirational. Thanks, Bily.
For myself, I tend to separate my analytical faith from my emotional faith. The analytical side is bible studies, sermons, and discussions. The emotional side is in prayer and worship.
Is it a boundary that shouldn’t exist? I don’t know. I recently backed out of a bible study, because I felt that it was too much “emotion” masquerading as “analysis.” Overly cynical? I don’t know. I feel strongest spiritually on a worship high, but I need to believe in something I can defend and understand intellectually.
I love Debi Newberry’s version of the Richard Bach quote: “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s, well, broken.” (from Grosse Pointe Blank)
Sam Hsieh said,
October 19, 2005 at 7:46 pm
greetings bily,
are you a friend of Lillian Tse? are you on study or work term? come to Crusades some time!
keep up the faith
Sam Hsieh said,
October 20, 2005 at 5:31 pm
haha, i know jo wu…u know laura cheung too i presume?
Blog of Bily Xiao » Closing the Gap said,
January 26, 2008 at 9:22 am
[...] Commit the will to God, and immediately you will find Him near. Not because He has moved any closer, for He has always been at hand, but because you have finally allowed yourself to be near.Read the rest of this entry ยป [...]
ally said,
February 5, 2008 at 8:52 pm
encouraged.
good words bily. =)