Day 14: When God Seems Distant
The theme of the chapter seems to be that one should worship God even when God's presence is not felt. For me, I take this to mean on a deeper level that we should not act for immediate pleasure or satisfaction; we should act because we believe in what we are doing. Similarly to what was discussed in the previous chapter(s), we should not be kind, generous or compassionate only when others can see us. So, Christians should not worship God only when God can acknowledge them.
If we all share the same core values and act accordingly, it should not make a difference whether another person or even God is there to acknowledge that act.
Hrmm... but let me step back for a second and think about the situation from a different perspective: Maybe it's not about getting feedback from God; actually, it's probably not. The real question is, how does one worship God when one is suffering? When one's prayers for a better life are not answered?
I guess if we do things for the love of God, then it shouldn't matter whether you feel God next to you, right? Even if God is not felt, if one knows that God is there, then feeling God's absence (temporary, as Rick says) should not deter one from continuing to act out of love.
If one is Christian, then this should be simple to accept.
I am curious what "focused on God's presence" is supposed to mean in this question. Isn't the point, or one of the points, in this chapter that sometimes one cannot feel God's presence? If one cannot feel God's presence, then perhaps it would be better not to focus on God's presence or lack thereof, but rather to focus on one's love for God. After all, worship is not about feeling God but about bringing pleasure to God, right? And bringing pleasure to God can be done with or without feeling God's presence. I think.
If we all share the same core values and act accordingly, it should not make a difference whether another person or even God is there to acknowledge that act.
Hrmm... but let me step back for a second and think about the situation from a different perspective: Maybe it's not about getting feedback from God; actually, it's probably not. The real question is, how does one worship God when one is suffering? When one's prayers for a better life are not answered?
I guess if we do things for the love of God, then it shouldn't matter whether you feel God next to you, right? Even if God is not felt, if one knows that God is there, then feeling God's absence (temporary, as Rick says) should not deter one from continuing to act out of love.
Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel.
If one is Christian, then this should be simple to accept.
Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when he feels distant?
I am curious what "focused on God's presence" is supposed to mean in this question. Isn't the point, or one of the points, in this chapter that sometimes one cannot feel God's presence? If one cannot feel God's presence, then perhaps it would be better not to focus on God's presence or lack thereof, but rather to focus on one's love for God. After all, worship is not about feeling God but about bringing pleasure to God, right? And bringing pleasure to God can be done with or without feeling God's presence. I think.