Some people think God is far and too busy to get into the details of our daily lives. Particularly during times when we feel down or when feeling burdened. Perhaps if we grew up in a perfect world, we would understand God better and would have perfect prayers. We would not only pray when in need of a divine emergency.
The Bible shows us that God is not distant. He cares about all our struggles. He is there for the confused and for those who feel lost. He is right there, even when we feel like we are on the verge of losing ourselves. God is not about perfection or confidence. Sometimes we only need to whisper a simple prayer.
“Lord, I need You.” That is all God needs to hear.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes in our lives, and he sees all of it: the pressure hidden behind a smile, moments of failure, and unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. He knows the burdens you carry daily. None of these keep him from loving you. In fact, these burdens draw him closer with more empathy. This is the beauty of grace. God loved us even before we loved Him. He does not need perfection. He appreciates the real life we are living, the life puzzle pieces we are trying to figure out. All the loose ends and hopes we keep to ourselves.
James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” This isn’t an invitation to ignore or to simply hang on a wall. It is an invitation to an active living with God. Drawing near to God doesn’t take much time. It does not need a highly technical vocabulary. It is not just an invitation on paper… Even by organizing our thoughts while lying in bed, we are able to speak to God. A quick prayer during a traffic delay, a simple reminder to God that you are tired, confused, or grateful, does not need to follow a memorized script.
Sometimes, God’s answers meet you in unexpected ways. Maybe it’s the unexpected calm that settles in your chest. Maybe the fog has lifted. You may find joy through fellowship. You may find the peace by reading the right Bible verse. By singing a song and engaging in a meaningful conversation. God is closer than you think. His presence is gentle. His hand rests on our shoulders, guiding us. Many, and probably you too, have held back from God for fear of disappointment or fear that you will say something and hear silence in response.
God understands your vulnerability and your weak spots don’t disqualify you. It is precisely those weak spots, those tender areas, that God’s grace goes to work on. When you let Him in, He will open the raw places, and heaven will come to earth with a transformation. Sometimes silence is loud.
We need to be honest with God. Think about the most important relationships you have where you weren’t perfect but you just kept showing up. God is the same. You show up tired, grateful, frustrated, and hopeful. He is with you. Moving toward God can be a small step; just make sure that it’s a real effort. God needs us to trust him. He feels our emptiness. He is our hope in times of trouble.
Sometimes coming close to God means letting go of some of the negative things you have been holding onto for far too long. God asks us to come to Him as we are. Walking closely with Him allows Him to guide us. To feel little pushes toward peace, little pulls that stop you from going the wrong way. The gentle nudges to let go of resentment and little encouragements to take the necessary steps that you’ve avoided. God’s presence can influence your decision-making.
When we feel lost, God is still there with us. Still enduring. Still unchanging. Still loving us. You do not need to have a certain mindset. One does not need to feel bad. You do not need to act like you are fine. Simply allow that small sense of affection in your heart toward God to grow and the distance between you and Him will be erased. Transitioning towards God is not about being perfect. It’s about being yourself.
