Crossroads

I've come to a point in my life where I know things need to change.

In three weeks, I'm supposed to be moving to SC from NH. Emotionally, I have been drained because I get a bit upset when I really think about it, but I still feel like I should go. My mother has presented me with the idea that maybe I'm depressed and a geographical relocation is not going to fix anything... but I'm not so sure I agree with her, (about the depression part).

My best friend and my sister make valid points that I'm 24 and should try to start living my own life. I don't want to be living with my parents, but with prices the way they are up here, I can't afford anything else.

I'm nervous though.. nervous about leaving. More nervous than at all excited about this new experience. But I hate my life here. I hate my jobs... and all I do is work and go home. Yes, I'm comfortable with spending each day watching TV, but what kind of life is that to live?

I've been so complacent and aloof about my relationship with God. I don't know if there's even a point to praying, because I don't hear Him and I never feel there is an answer given. But in my heart of heart's I know I should... and I want to, it's just so difficult, and honestly heartbreaking when I'm disappointed. But I know the kind of life I want to live; the kind of life I want to have in the future with a spouse and children, needs me to change for those things to be possible. I don't feel like that is possible here.

The one thing SC has that NH doesn't is a built in community of peers that are basically on the same level of thinking when it comes to spirituality. I feel like I have people there that can help me grow in the way I need to; to grow closer and deeper with God. I love my family, but they can't provide that... they honestly don't know how. I feel like this should be my big neon sign, but not having a job in SC and being 17 hours away from family makes the neon sign more dim. I have advice, pressure and time constraint coming from every side and it makes me just want to sit in bed, close the door, put on Glee and never come out....



I just really need to hear Your voice Lord. I cry out to you in desperation and I am at a loss. I don't know what to do. Please clear my head, clear my concerns and show me the way. Please I beg of you to guide me on the correct path. Provide for me needs, I plead. I feel like I need you more than I ever have. Please give me peace that transcends all understanding so that I may know exactly what it is that You want me to do. I ask these things in the name of Christ.
Amen.

Flicker

With the New Year, I started my devotional book up again and am feeling good that I'm reading a bit about God's promises and the encouraging blurbs from Billy Graham. There was however something I read the other day and I just didn't even know what to do with it. As I was reading the blurb, I looked back at the scripture for the day and it was Matthew 28:20-
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The blurb reinforced the scripture with it's story and then it hit me: I don't believe that. "Christ never leaves us, He is with us every step of the way" This is so hard for me to believe. I KNOW it's true because I KNOW God's Word is true... but it's not in my heart and I don't know what to do with that. I can't feel Him. I can't hear Him. I don't remember what He feels like, what He looks like. Whenever I've gone through trial I've always prayed "Lord, I don't need anything new.. I don't deserve anything new... just please remind me of your goodness of the past and it will bring me right back to you"... and now, I've begun to pray for new things because I can't tangibly remember my spiritual past. I'm a feeler... I need to know that He is near like the Word says, but I just don't.

I was listening to David Crowder tonight on my drive home and as I was listening to "I Need Words" this mental picture of God's and My relationship popped into my head. You know how we've been told forever that God never stops pursuing us, we stop pursuing him, etc...? Well the picture in my mind was of Me and God was standing behind me and I was PULLING and TUGGING on His arms, just trying to get them to wrap around me; to get him to hug me, to comfort me.. and He was resisting. Not with everything He had, obviously, but I was giving it all I had... and He has no interest anymore.

Am I lost? Did I ever know God or did I create Him in my mind? I don't doubt God, I don't doubt His existence... I doubt that our relationship was ever real, I suppose. I feel like I can encourage every one around me (when I want). I can give them God's word and His promises and know that I'm telling the truth... but I guess it's not alive or applicable to my own life. The wilderness is a lonely place of complacency and apathy. This is the first time in a long time that I've cried over my loss... and that's what it is, a loss.

With the bit of hope I have... I'm hoping these baby-steps (Adult group, devotionals, etc.), will be in the right direction and bring something back... a flicker at least that will eventually lead to a flame.