When I was a child, my mom took me to church. I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 11 years old, and I participated in all the church things, but there was something missing. I couldn't seem to connect with God in a personal way. I didn't understand the Holy Spirit or what prayer was supposed to be or do. God seemed like a satellite in the sky, and me?--a random number on the earth with no real significance. I was too embarrassed to admit I wasn't dialed in, and became increasingly disillusioned over the next several years. At 14 I wandered away in search of something....
Something more impressive, maybe.
As an adult, I heard my own son, who was a church-goer at the time, but in terrible crisis, say, "I cried out to God for years, and He never came."
Since then, I have heard countless clients tell of similar experiences.
You would think of all people, children would connect easily with the Lord, but it doesn't always roll out that way. God doesn't always rescue us when or in the way we would prefer to be rescued.
I want to speak to those of you today who are believers, but still feel deep down like you are on the outside looking in.
I've been there. Lots of people have been there. There are a lot of pretenders, even in the Church.
I want to encourage you, beg you even, to not give up! There is something there worth having, something worth pressing in for. The something that is missing is there. The power is real. The acceptance you crave is available. The new life others talk about is available for you. That peace, joy, and wisdom you've witnessed in some believers is not an act. Transformation from the parts of yourself you despise is more than possible. Broken pieces, shattered hearts--there is healing for that.
Jesus is a real person, and He actually does want you. Desperately, longingly.
But you gotta go for it. Jump in, all the way in. State your intentions to God and ask Him to meet you where you're at. Admit you're struggling, humble yourself. He will come! Just don't ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up!!
Someone needed to hear this today.