Have you ever had a season of life where the Lord feels distant? Where, try as you might, you just can’t seem to hear His gentle, quiet voice speaking to your heart? Perhaps the enemy sneaks in and starts whispering his lies in your ear: You can’t hear Him because you’re not good at praying. The Lord doesn’t care about what you’re going through. You’re not worth His time. You are alone in this.
Well, I’ve been there. And despite my best efforts to fight the enemy’s nasty lies with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:16-17), it can be really tough. So when I read Saint Paul’s words in today’s reading, I was deeply moved:
“He fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,
so that people might seek God,
perhaps even grope for him and find him,
though indeed he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:26b-27)
And then in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” (John 16:12)
Just because I don’t hear from the Lord doesn’t mean He is not with me—"he is not far from any one of us." Perhaps He is quiet because, in His divine wisdom, He knows there is only so much my heart can take in this moment, this season.
We are called to continue to seek Him, “the Spirit of truth,” (John 16:13) in prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “[T]he living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church § 2567) Let this be an encouragement for us, sisters!
In the simple act of turning to God in prayer, He is already present to us. Our desires to seek God, our desires to hear from Him, are part of His design. This is the Spirit moving within us. He is here.
The Lord is in pursuit of your heart, sister. What a gift to have a Lord who longs for deeper intimacy with us! Where do you notice Him moving today?
Elise Howe is a devoted wife, momma, vocal artist and teacher. She currently resides in New York City, though she will always be a Midwestern gal at heart. Elise has a heart for ministry, dark chocolate (but not too dark) and coffee with a generous amount of cream + sugar. Find out more about her here.
Walk With Us this Advent
Get Your Prayerful Planner
