Can You Tell Me Why God Left Me?

     Question to O. A.:  My parents took me to Sunday school as a child and I became a Christian.  I loved to talk and sing about Jesus, and to color pictures of Him.  Then I grew up, got married, and had children of my own.  Now I don’t go to Sunday school or church.  The last time I went, the pastor was too busy to talk to me, and the service was too long and boring.  Now I just look out my kitchen window and feel empty.  Can you tell me why God left me?  P. J. in Tennessee.

     Dear P. J.:  Actually, I can tell you that God hasn’t left you.  He’s still in the same place He was when you sang about Him as a child.  The early Christian teacher, Paul, said that all Christians need to answer this question:  “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who’s in you, and Whom you received from God?”[1.  Adapted from First Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19.]

     Here’s the truth:  When you were a child and became a Christian, the Holy Spirit indwelled you and baptized your inner spirit with supernatural power.  That’s what made you a Christian, and that’s where God still lives today.

     The problem is, some Christian congregations don’t teach this Spiritual law.  Instead, they read poems about how God is “walking beside us on the beach,” and they sing songs about how we need to “reach out and touch Him,” and how we need to reach out and “take His hand.”

     But these poems and songs make us think that God is outside us somewhere.  And that’s wrong.  Because He’s inside us the whole time.  Thus, the key to your loneliness is to pray for the Holy Spirit to flood up within you and fill your mind with the “Living Water” of supernatural peace, hope, and purpose.[1.  Adapted from John 7:38 and Galatians 5:22-23.]

     That’s what you felt as a little girl, and that’s what you can feel again today.  It doesn’t matter whether you attend denominational worship; or a small group; or both; or neither.  You can still feel God’s presence within you by praying these four words every day, “Fill me, Holy Spirit.”

     Also, you’ll feel less lonely if you’re in fellowship with one or more like-minded Christians who also want to grow Spiritually.  So pray for God to guide you to other seeking Christians.  Finally, despite the many miles that lie between us, please know that we here at CFO are praying for you, too.