Where is God?

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

When I first moved to New York City some ten years ago, whenever I was feeling lost or alone, I would always go take a walk by the river. And as the gentle breeze would kiss my cheek, I would always envision that as a touch from God, giving me comfort and guidance that everything is going to be okay.

Fast forward to yesterday. Same river. Same girl, only slightly older, seeking guidance, only this time – the wind was gale force gusting the entire time. To the point that my hat flew off four different times.

This memory didn’t hit me until I was nearly home, feeling absolutely exhausted from battling the wind for an hour. And that’s when I realized: if God was giving me a kiss on the cheek when I felt lonely back then, what is He trying to communicate now, with His incessant hurricane gusts?

And that’s when I got to thinking about the current state of this world. For the past seven months now, it’s as though the entire world has been in a free fall. I mean, think about it. Starting with Australia’s wild fires; to the global pandemic; we’ve been prohibited to go to church; we’ve lost jobs, education opportunities and loved ones; and now a horrific hurricane season; wild fires ravaging California, and our country is politically tearing itself apart at the seams with riots, violence, and unrest.

Taking an inventory is a sobering exercise that makes me question: where is God?

Really. Where is He in all of this? Hasn’t He heard the cries of His children? Can’t He see our suffering? Are our prayers falling on deaf ears?

Later last night, a certain gentleman and I were driving through the streets of Manhattan. And all throughout the city, the NYPD had baracades up, and swaths of cop vans and patrol units stationed at various landmarks: The Met, Times Square, Trump Tower, etc – all in preparation for the outcry of protesters and potential rioters in response to the news from the tragic and heartbreaking Breonna Taylor case.

It felt like a scene out of the apocalypse. Deserted streets, except for flashing cop lights. Meanwhile, my Citizen crime app pinging, notifying us of large groups of protestors blocking the Manhattan Bridge, and overtaking Washington Square Park, and elsewhere.

I thought, is God withdrawing Himself from us?

His children are hurting, and where is He?

I got home and turned to the Bible. Because – not that I was feeling all end-times-y/Revelation now, or anything – but I was curious as to other times when God hid His face from His children.

And what I found shook me to my core. Jeremiah 11:14 states: “Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble.”

You see, Israel had fallen into rampant paganism, idolatry, and polytheism, and so as a result, God was allowing them to experience life with their false idols, and without Him. Zechariah 7:13 – “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear.”

Could it be that we are the modern day Israel? Has our society’s collective dismissal of God finally caught up with us?

We have created idols in our own time, and we’re seeing it play out to the n’th degree. Politics has become a religion for so many – to the point where we’re raising up Ruth Bader Ginsberg to deity-status. We’ve replaced religious morals and ideals with party platforms, and agendas that are a far cry from biblically influenced.

The effects of “pro-choice.”

We’ve made idols of our sexual identity and our gender expression, and worship material possessions, professional athletes and celebrities. We’ve replaced striving to be right with God, with virtue signaling to be right in the eyes of others.

Why is it more socially acceptable to recite the lyrics to “WAP,” than it is to pray in public, or say “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Could it be that God is allowing us to sleep in the bed we’ve made for ourselves?

Could it be that God is allowing His absence to be acutely felt – not just spiritually – but now, thanks to COVID, even physically – so that we may come to learn to actually appreciate it?

I’m asking, because I genuinely desire to know. It feels as though my prayers are a broken record, and each day brings with it a new set of issues and quandaries.

And I’d like to know what you think: what do you make of the current state of the world? Are we the modern day Israel?

Is God withdrawing? Are we needing repentance? Do people really even care, let alone notice?

To close, I want to just offer a prayer – a pleading for God’s presence to be felt. Perhaps, like the hurricane gusts of wind I felt yesterday at the river, God is screaming out to us, and yet we have been refusing to hear? And if that’s the case, I pray our ears be opened and our hearts made receptive to the not-so-subtle whisper of our Father.

I pray for peace in this nation. I pray for healing of the broken, hurting hearts, frustrated with current realities and injustices. And I pray for the leaders of this nation, that they would seek to unite the people of this great nation, and respect all life – from conception to natural death.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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366 thoughts on “Where is God?”

  1. Wow, what a stunning piece!
    Too much negative occurrences in our world definitely cause one to conclude that God has given up on His creation, and we’re left to our own devices, struggles and futile attempts at solving them all.
    But I do for a fact that God is very much in the mix and midst of everything happening. Looking closely, we will see His involvement as we are able to go through each devastating event still believing and hoping for the best.

    You’re right, the world has actually indicated in very certain terms that God is not needed. But I don’t believe that anything silly ideas or behaviours from us mere mortals can cause our awesome heavenly Father who is the most faithful, loving, compassionate and patient to abandon us.

    Thank you for sharing. It is okay if reblogged this, please?

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    1. Thank you so much Jouyoz for you’re thoughtful response. You’re absolutely right – He is loving, merciful, patient and will never abandon us. That is something to find great hope in! And absolutely – I would be honored if you reblogged it! Hugs and love xox

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  3. I heard Him tell me this same verse a short while ago. I think He is letting us see and live the pain so we will call out to Him and repent. At the same time, I think judgment on the evildoers is about to begin, and I think that is what Jer. 11:14 refers to in our current time. I believe with my whole heart that His children who cling to Him are protected, but I don’t think it will be easy by any stretch of the imagination. Blessings to you!

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  4. Believe it or not God is already guiding us. There’s videos up of so many Trump supporters like you would not believe. Parades happening all over the place, even farmers took their tractors out in support. Millions of people collectively coming together despite Covid. These people are not afraid and trust God is protecting them.

    Be glad the NYPD is there to protect the city this time from any rioting and looters. I see the Brianna case as another distraction from the left, the wildfires are more than likely set by arsonists. It’s hard to tell what is really the truth but you kind of get the idea that the left is letting the destruction take place but really this is a fight between Good and Evil and we are witnessing a pivotal moment in history.

    Things will get better, the storms will subside once things settle, unfortunately there are a lot of angry, greedy and hateful people right now but hopefully these people will find their peace in life.

    The biggest thing is the truth needs to come out because a lot of lies are circling around on both political parties but the left is also destroying itself as we have been dealing with their greed, power and corruption. We did turn from God and this is just the result. People chose Satan instead which has lead us to this point.

    Hopefully we will continue to follow God and a lot of things will change for the better. Sometimes we gotta just turn off the mainstream news because all its showing is more and more distractions that they want Americans to see instead of the good that is happening.

    There was no riots, looting, fires or any disaster of any kind with Trump gatherings… well minus the boat sinking mayhem which was quite hilarious, nobody got hurt the boats were too close to one another with their engines creating heavy waves sinking them all. Either way this is already God sending us a message is we can vote for those who want to cause mayhem or those who want to bring America back together again.

    We don’t need to really social distance anymore since people are taking precautions and it’s up to the people to decide whether to risk it and trust in God or to live in fear. I choose to trust in God. We gotta move on with our lives but the left doesn’t want that because there are people who like the government controlling their lives instead of taking control of their lives which America is founded on taking control of your life to what you want it to be, not what the government wants.

    God does let us make our own decisions in life and he will show us the way. I just pray that the destruction caused by so many will pass as the rest of America want to get back to their lives and not hide in fear anymore.

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    1. thank you so much for sharing that – that is so encouraging. You’re right – God gave us free will, and we need to choose to return to Him! Hugs and love xox

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  6. Caralyn, you made so many good points. This is a season for where we are called to repent and turn from our wicked ways back to God. It is a time for course correction so we do not crash. Correction is not rejection. The pain of a country self destructing causes many to turn to God and repenting for the sins of our country. The blood of all the babies that were aborted cries out to God for justice. Each one of us can make a difference, as we cry out to God, in humility. He hears and answers. Jeffrey King, made some excellent points in his comment. Jonathan Cahn, who he mentions makes so excellent points. This is a link to a 24 minute video that talks about the parallels between Israel and the USA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtW9s47EAe4

    Love and hugs! Keep up the good work of blogging! xo

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    1. thank you so much! oh gosh, i so appreciate your encouraging words. You’re right – a season of repentance! thanks for the video link! i look forward to watching! Hugs and love xox

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  7. I don’t think it is just a USA thing, I think the overarching issues you bring up affect the westernised church worldwide – I’ve been reading Malachi as part of my preparation for an upcoming sermon series and think it is just as relevant today right across the board.

    Intro on YouVersion Bible app for Malachi says; Malachi (“my messenger”) challenges the people to honor God properly in their worship and in their dealings with one another. The world could then come to know the Lord as the great king…

    To do that we need to repent and accept that for to long we have become self-reliant, self-focused, want, want, want, and have not been doing the things that God would have us do…

    But Hope is coming 😁

    So continue being the Malachi’s of our day and point people back to Him, and be the example of what it means to love others 😁

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  8. Great post and very insightful! I always envisioned America as mystery Babylon as spoken about in Revelation 17. Why mystery? Well at the time John received these visions on the island of patmos America had not been discovered. I think you are spot on that God sometimes allows people to experience life with their idols. It takes the cry of Gods people and them humbling themselves and turning from their wicked ways for the land to be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14) one thing for certain is: If the church is still here then we must be the light in this dark world and reflect Christs glory and love. God bless you

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    1. thank you so much! i’m so glad this resonated with you. Oh wow – a modern day Babylon! amen – we must be the light! Hugs and love xox

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  11. I have a fairly unique view on God. My belief is that He is inside each of us, He is our hidden potential to be the very best version of ourselves. But He is also outside of us too, calling us to be better, to do better. I believe all of us can tap into this “Higher Self” using tools such as prayer and meditation. We may not come up with answers which can solve society-wise problems, but we can at least change our own individual behaviour. And I think that’s how real social change happens… when lots of like-minded people get together, each of them striving to be the best they can be in their own individual lives, in all aspects of their lives: spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially.

    God can never abandon us. He is always inside each of us. We can draw on His strength in times of need. I really do believe that.

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    1. thank you so much Rock for sharing your heart and your thoughts on this. So very moving. I do believe that He lives in our hearts too! amen – He will never abandon us! Hugs and love xox

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  12. Dear Caralyn
    These are for sure frightening and disquieting times. We should remember, though, the promises of Jesus, especially Matthew 28: 20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
    Jesus will never stop hearing our prayers, and we should never stop praying. What we need to do is to make sure that our prayers align with God’s will. I find St John’s gospel very encouraging. The five word summary is “Follow me. Love each other.”
    As I read your post this morning, I was glancing over the top of my phone at the sky. There was a magnificent double rainbow, the brightest I have ever seen, and it lasted and lasted. It was glowing for about fifteen minutes, without fading or flickering.
    Don’t fear, Caralyn. God is with us, now and always.
    God bless you, sister,
    With love,
    Penny

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    2. Hi Penny, thank you so much for your encouragement. you’re so right – we need to draw on those promises of Jesus! a double rainbow! that was definietly God! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  13. I read this earlier and didn’t have the time to comment, but I wanted to come back and visit again. I’ve always found the things you write very compelling and there is so much to consider here. I struggle with my relationship with God so much and the title of your post is something I have asked myself on so many occasions that I have spent time contemplating that very topic many times. Being someone of an alternative sexuality makes me wonder if God really loves me, it’s made me wonder if I can accept myself as I am and still feel a close relationship with God. And honestly, I don’t know…
    But I also recognize a trend in our society that has always bothered me – the worship of people. It makes no difference to me if someone is famous or not, has done good things for others or not, I just think making someone an idol (as you’ve described it) is disturbing. Granted, I believe there are people that have done phenomenal things in their lives and recognizing the good works others have done as an exemplification of how to live isn’t necessarily bad, but worshipping some person could mean adopting their negative aspects too and that would ultimately be a bad thing to do as well.
    Anyways, this is a wonderful and beautiful post and I am thank having read it.

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    1. hi friend, thank you for sharing your heart. you’re so right – we need to get back to the Cross and return to our Father! Hugs and love xox

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  14. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!”
    Matthew 23:37.

    You are right, ‘Israel’ doesn’t refer to the patch of ground on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It refers to Humanity. His Children.

    I don’t know if you have ever read any of Spurgeon’s sermon’s but they are quite something. People used to pack his church in London so full (in the thousands) that people would be clinging to the pillars and balconies to hear the gospel.

    If you’re interested, here’s a link to Spurgeon’s take on this verse that he gave in 1888:

    Click to access chs2381.pdf

    I don’t know about the US but in the UK, the national broadcaster (The BBC) goes out of its way to avoid mentioning religion, but if it has to, Christianity is way down the list of religious to mention. It is embarrassed by the rich relationship this country once had with God. The Queen is the only person in public life who consistently mentions her faith in God and looks to Christ for an example but few others in public office, even in her own family, share her steadfastness in the faith.

    It always amazes me that there is NOTHING new under the sun. Every single trial and tribulation that occurs today has been experienced before and documented in the Bible, sometimes over and over again. I heard people asking the same questions about the Twin Towers as when the Tower of Siloam fell (Luke 13). Likewise the 12 Plagues Of Egypt and COVID-19. Valuable Lessons on every page – ignored and discarded as fairy tales and children’s stories.

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    1. Thanks so much Ally for sharing those verses! How very powerful. I will have to look up Spurgeon’s sermons! Thanks for the recco! Hugs and love xox

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  17. There are many occurrences we read about in the Bible where God allowed people to do things their way. My hope and prayer is that this world comes to see their need for a Savior and that His way is the only way.

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  18. I believe God is here and He is waiting for us to come back to Him. I pray daily that he helps us ALL to come back to His graces. God bless you, keep writing and spreading the faith. I love your articles.

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  19. Dear BBB, when I saw that you had ‘liked’ my WP Eye to Eye haiku post this morning, I had to view yours. What a refreshing blessing to read your post, as you ‘see’ what so many of us do. I too feel the same but usually find myself shouted down by the ‘far-left mob’ on FB and Tw. We live in totally different worlds (small Louisiana city vs NYC) but believe in the same loving God who may be teaching his wayward children a very tough lesson as he did the Israelites. I join my prayers for repentance and mercy with the many others flowing up to God through Christ. Peace.

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    1. Hi Al! Thank you so much for for stopping by! I will definitely join with you in prayer. Amen – He is a loving God!! Hugs and love xox

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  20. Do we need repentance? Certainly, every one of us. But we, as a whole, don’t realize it. And we may well need another 9/11-ish event to wake us up.
    Caralyn, you would have been very young when 9/11 happened. What was striking, at least in my neck of the woods, is that people were rattled; we had lost the swagger of invincibility. Business signs everywhere read “pray for our country” or “God bless the USA.” People who hadn’t made a habit of it were suddenly praying and paying attention to God.

    We’ve lost that fear that we are vulnerable. As a culture, we reject the notion that we are in the hands of a transcendent Creator. I’ve just finished reading “The Benedict Option,” and I agree with author Rod Dreher that we have lost the culture war (a hugely important book, by the way).

    But has God abandoned us? No ma’am, not at all. God is just waiting for the culture to realize that it abandoned Him. Until that happens, believers fight the good fight and stay the course, making their corner of the world a better place. Hugs and love– Mike

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. You may be right – 9/11 certainly woke us up to our need for God. Amen – God has not abandoned us. Thanks Mike for this response. Hugs and love xox

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  21. God didn’t move. We did. This country has been under His wrath for many years and the persecution of Christians is just beginning. It’s happened before. It’s happening again. As Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” A quick glance around will tell you that’s true. Spending eternity in the presence of God’s looking better and better. Be strong in your faith. God’s got this.

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    1. You’re so right Rollie. He doesn’t move, we do. Amen – God’s got this. Praying for a return to him! Hugs and love xox

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  22. Truly, the question remains. THAT is what it truly means to be “woke”. To know God so well that you are enabled to see His signs, His hand, and when He removed His hand. Yet, He sits upon the eternal throne. All is filtered through His plans, will, and desires. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing slips by Him. Nothing defeats Him. This is what we can rest in through these storms. God’s grip – Alan

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  23. 2 Timothy 3:12-14,16-17
    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
    [14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    God completes us with His gracious words, as the world waxes worse it simply means our light of faith will shine brighter. I believe God hears all the prayers and has answered them in eternity as we patiently wait for them to play out in time. When He spoke to Moses in Exodus, He said he heard the cries of His people for many many years! He hears, He knows, He has answered…we patiently wait
    Genesis 50:24
    And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. God did this generations later through Moses!

    2 Corinthians 1:20-22
    For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God BY US. [21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; [22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

    We have the Spirit of God and will be kept by Him in these crazy times, it is our deepest desire to see more find Christ as our lives shine into the ever growing darkness.

    Sorry for the length, but it is important to know God indeed judges nations but never utterly forsakes His people Heb 13:5-6! Remember just Lot 2Peter 2:9

    Great post

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    1. Thank you Chad for sharing these encouraging verses. You’re right – we will be kept by Him in these wild times. That’s for sure! Hugs and love xox

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  24. We are not alone, we’ve never been alone. But what we, collectively and individually, have done is place our attention on this world. If we come back to the understanding that ‘we are all in this together’, then we will find that God is there, already. Look within.

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    1. You’re so right about that. We are the ones who withdraw. I pray we return! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  27. I think you’re on point. God does not and cannot interfere with humanity’s free will, so in essence, the disasters happening all around us and throughout history are of our doing, of our sinful behaviors. Therefore, the only way to change this downward spiral is through repentance and turning to God with a humble heart, asking for forgiveness, in praying for the whole world, including ourselves. I was thinking of writing my own blog piece on this issue, and I think I will fit a post in sometime very soon. Thanks for the reminder and a spot-on post.

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    1. Thank you so much Dot. I’m so glad this resonated with you. You’re right – repentance is the way. Hugs and love xox

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  28. Good post. Yes, we need repentance. God is always with us, but He can not accept our sins (which include apathy among many others). I can feel Him moving in His body of believers, but also the goats are being separated from the sheep. Matthew 25:31-45.

    In my own community, we are seeing unity between denominations and more awareness outside of our local area. When else have we been called to pay attention to faith communities outside our own? We are being told to stand up for our faith if we want to be able to worship.

    Our current state of affairs has me yearning for more relationship with Jesus. It’s been sad to see in real-time the church-goers who’s faith was only Sunday-deep. No Sunday service possible, so they’ve just pushed the faith relationship to the back burner. I hope people begin to wake up.

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    2. Thank you so much! You’re right about that – we need repentance. I hope so too! So glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  29. Hey BBB….I saw your pingback
    What a great post there!
    You are right on point. Everything we go through is our doing. We blame the devil but we are our own enemies. Something I feel God so close, other times too he seems so far away that I leaves me wanting and hopeless but I bounce back to retain his trust. I do his wil but still sinning…somehow but now I can’t determine whether he is close or far…..I just pray😥😥

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    1. Hey Aaron! Oh thank you so much! I’m glad this resonated with you. Amen – joining you in prayer, my friend. Glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  30. Where is God- God is within us all. Doesn’t the bible teach we’re created in his image. Doesn’t the bible teach that God is all knowing, powerful, creator of ALL things, Alpha-Omega-nothing is hidden from God. What you’re seeing is what you’ve put out into the world. You see separation and divide because that’s who you are (generalizing). You point out evil in protest, rioters and WAP (a song) because that’s who you are. What we’re seeing is what we’ve been planting – it’s harvest time and you’re asking where is God! Check your garden – Karma is here and so is God!!!

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  31. America locks kids in cages.
    America forces immigrant women to have hysterectomies.
    America encourages people to shoot each other if we disagree on politics.
    America has a leader with a red hat who says he’s the chosen one.
    America has a system that allows Black people to get murdered by cops without repercussion.

    God hasn’t left us. We have left God.

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  32. What a lovely post. Your question, “Where is God?” is reflected throughout Scripture by David, Jeremiah, and others. It is not so much a reflection of a lost faith but a question of what has happened around us.
    God bless you, dear.

    Love and Blessings,
    Rev. James M. Dakis

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    1. Hi James, thank you for this powerful response. Yes – what has happened around us is wheee we need to question. Hugs and love xox

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  34. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this post. I, as a Dane is also praying for your country as you are a beacon of light for the rest of the world and your Constitution is worth fighting for

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  36. God NEVER leaves us but we can draw away from him. I think what we are seeing is more people doing that than ever before in our country. Our prayers for peace and love to prevail are important. We have to trust his wisdom and caring.

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  38. There are so many things to say on your question but I think you can sum it up with this. What answer brings hope? Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” So if your thoughts turn to despair or hopelessness then that’s not God. When Jesus was in the boat sleeping and the disciples woke him because they thought they were going to die we see that in the middle of that storm he had perfect peace. So much so that Jesus was sleeping during a storm. Yes the world is in an extremely crazy storm right now but God is moving people. Some don’t even know it but soon they will. If we as God for his eyes for this time we begin to see a different picture. One where families are actually spending time together again. One where God is strengthening the core of church (where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name). One where his spirit is moving in people in new ways. One where all of us are being asked by God who do we serve. And that is good. And with every work of God there is a counterfeit work of the enemy and I think that is where our earthly eyes get focused too quickly.
    I also just want to say that the way you hear God is so cool. The wind story was so spot on.

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    1. Thank you so much Dan!! You’re so right – we’ve got to cling to hope! I love that verse from Romans. Thanks for that uplifting reminder! Hugs and love xox

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  40. We’ve raised RGB to deity status? Have you seen any of your man Trump’s rallies? Have you heard the things many of his followers say that make him into a deity…or are their voices drowned out by the sounds of children screaming from their cages at the border. Well, at least they got to be born so they could truly enjoy their suffering, right? You have perfected twisting religion and politics into something really gross, something the Jesus I learned about in church would shake his head at. I’m going to assume your growing hypocrisy is a blind spot, but it’s getting harder to read every day.

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      1. Caralyn mentioned that we’ve raised RGB to deity status…which is kind of hypocritical since she’s a strong Trump supporter and his followers have turned him into more of a Christ-like figure than any politician I’ve ever seen, despite the fact he’s done things like create an environment for COVID to flourish and lie about it, or to put children in cages at the border and lie about it, or to disgrace our veterans and military leaders in multiple ways and lie about it. He said in 2016 that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose voters. I think he’s correct, and it’s disgusting. People who should be good Christians are lining up behind him, telling themselves whatever story they need to believe so they can check that box without looking in the mirror and seeing what’s really there.

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      2. Thank you for clarifying that Joshua. I agree that deifying anyone is wrong and I’m not quite sure I agree that this has been done with RBG but there has certainly been no shortage of it with Trump supporters, in spite of the fact that many of us who have tried to support the GOP for decades feel misrepresented by him.

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      3. No problem Jim. I’m 3-3 in voting Democrat or GOP in presidential elections…yup a real life independent and I don’t get at this point how anyone with a conscience can support him. He’s giving real republicans a very bad name.

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    2. Thank you Joshua for sharing your thoughts. I’m sorry you feel I’m twisting politics and religion. In my opinion, my religious beliefs must influence my political beliefs. Have a great weekend. Hugs and love xox

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      2. I’m unsure why you’re trying to intimidate me by using my full name? Is that supposed to be a threat? Bullying will not be tolerated on this blog, Peter.

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      3. The more I think about it the more I recognize it’s just too bad they aren’t being influenced in this case. But, you’re in NY. We already know how that state is going.

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      4. I’m just showing you a mirror Caralyn. If you don’t like what you see, consider that your twisting religious/politcal views are supporting a man who is racist and is trying to divide our country. A man who supports killing others who oppose him (Kyle R victims, Khashoggi). You are being played and naively keeping your head in the sand. I’m not the bully here. Years later you will thank me. I hope it’s not too late for you.

        Hugs xoxo

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  41. It’s actually pretty simple, Caralyn. No, God is not withdrawing because He never leaves. He is less than a heartbeat away in each one of us, with no differences. The problem is we withdraw from God. And the signs of that are all over. I often write that reading the Bible about the Israelites wandering aimlessly in the desert is the story of us. The Israelites turned from God and made idols to worship. They wandered for 40 years for a journey that should have taken 11 days. Eleven days!!! And we are certainly wandering aimlessly these days, with no direction and no vision of where we are headed. And are idols are all around us. Sad but true. Ted

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    1. Thank you so much for this encouraging response. You’re so right – He never leaves!! What a comforting truth!! Thanks Ted. Hugs and love xox

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  42. Very pertinent blog for our day and age. So many are asking the same question. The world has, for so long, made gods of many other things that they have forgotten the true God. Somehow like Paul when he was walking through Athens and saw that the city “was given to idols.” He saw an idol there on it written, “To the Unknown God.” This reflects the state of our societies today; God’s image stands among others but His true identity is now unknown.

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    1. Thank you so much Lea for your kind words. I pray we return to Him and seek His face. Glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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  43. Man, this post has “haunted” my thoughts over the past two days. I don’t believe God is punishing us. I believe He is allowing a nation to experience the consequences of their misguided notions and actions. That’s a very different thing. It’s like when a stubborn teenager gets pissy with their parents and demands their right to do something stupid. The parent discusses, gives reasons, argues, but if the child continues to stick to their stubbornness the parent goes “Ok…fine. see what happens when you act a fool.”.
    Do we need to repent? Individually, oh yes. There is a principle that when God calls a nation to repentance He always starts first with His people. We can’t “save the nation” and I don’t think we are called to. We are called to love Him above all and then our neighbor. We individually get right with God and then reach out.
    As soon as all the chaos began I made an odd (for me) choice to run to Him, increase my time in the word and prayer to see what would happen. Peace like a river…joy in the midst of darkness, and a closer relationship to Him than ever. This I highly recommend.

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    1. Thank you so much Will for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m so glad it struck a chord with you. Amen – I think you’re spot on about that – we’re acting like a stubborn teen, that’s for sure. Peace like a river – I pray that for our world too!! Hugs and love xox

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  44. What a thoughtful, challenging post – thanks for sharing!
    And I do think you’re right, at least insofar as “what you sow, that you shall reap”. We’ve been sowing anger, bad attitudes, and a disrespect for God and His commands for a long time. The chaos and negativity is a natural consequence.
    Joining you in prayer that this whole thing will be mitigated, but mostly that our culture turns to God!

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    1. Thank you so much – I’m so glad this resonated with you. You’re right – unfortunately we’re reaping what we’ve sown. We need big time prayer!! Hugs and love xox

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  45. Caralyn, your timing in this post is so amazing. I’m reading it on Saturday morning, the 26th. At this very moment there is a gathering of 1000’s and 1000’s gathered at the capital mall in DC to pray and repent. God is pressing on all of our hearts to turn back to Him. Someone mentioned in one of the comments above the Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. He is one of the main speakers and your post very much echoes his message … he urged people to turn from the idols we have made and turn back to the Lord. I believe the Lord truly is pressing on all of our hearts to return, to pray, and to be light in the darkest of places.

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    1. Thank you so much Shelly. I’m so glad this resonated with you. Oh wow that is so amazing! Praying with those gathered!! Yes!! Hugs and love xox

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  48. Yes, I believe we are getting what we deserve. This country wants nothing to do with the One, True, God. We have turned our backs on Him as a whole and we are reaping what we sow. The bible says in the end times they will call right wrong and wrong right and all you have to do is look up and see this is all true. He loves His children though and saved Israel through the plagues… they had to go through them, but they were safe. There are countless stories in the bible of turning away from God and His wrath poured out. As individuals, and His children, we can have joy and peace because His spirit lives inside of us. So, we live in the world but are not a part of the world. The bible also says not to worry when there are wars or rumors of wars… these things must come to pass before He comes back for us and it’s going to get bad.

    Read 1 Samuel 8. They wanted a king to rule over them and God wanted to be their King. He let them have what they wanted and he ruled over them harshly. When asked God said I gave you what you wanted.

    I am re-reading Kings now and when I get down about what’s going on I read Revelation 22… He will wipe away every tear.

    I also love reading about Jesus triumphant return… he who rides on a white horse is called faithful and true… King of Kings and Lord of Lords. ❤

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    1. Thank hog for sharing your heart on this. You’re right. We need to live in the world but not be of the world. Amen – that will be the day when every knee shall bow! Hugs and love xox

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  49. I believe all this is true. While we could level our eyes on those who have no faith and say it’s all their fault but the bible alludes to the fact that those who profess him but don’t follow him are like salt, but salt that loses its flavor will be thrown out. This applies to those engaged in the exact same sins as the non believers while condemning the non believers. This applies to those who live after works with out love. Jeremiah is a great book because it is a exact picture of America today. We are sexuality immoral both as believers and non believers. We use capitalism as a means to take more than we should. Babylonian commercialism is what Israel brought back from captivity. We mistreat people in need. Yes there are lazy people but there are truly people that have been hurt by social inequality. We mistreat the sojourners from other countries. Yes we need borders but we need both law and compassion. We miss treat the fatherless. Who are the fatherless? Our history with black people and laws have left many fatherless through incarceration for laws that were not equally dealt out in the past and arguably the present. What God showed through israel was that righteousness could not be achieved by criminalizing sin. It was arrogance to think perhaps we could do better than Israel. Through Jesus we see salvation has to be a individual choice, and that our light would shine if we truly followed Jesus as he taught us to through himself and his apostles.

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    1. Thank you so much Jimmy for sharing your thoughts on this! You’re so right – we need to shine our light and let His light shine through us!!! Hugs and love xox

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  50. Adding my prayers to yours! I know He is at work. I pray we will see a great awakening. I don’t know how else we make it through all the hurt, brokenness, bitterness, coldness and corruption. So, I’m keeping hope! Help us, Lord! More of You!

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