Life is confusing. And my pursuit of God is equally confusing, at times. Ever felt that way? If you’re answer is no, I’d recommend seeing a lying counselor. Not sure those actually exist, so maybe just be honest with yourself. We don’t get God all the time.
As a follower of Christ, I turn to my faith to give answers for big decisions, to give peace in a painful times or satisfaction during seasons of unrest. But there have been so many times that answers don’t come. Prolonged seasons of uncertainty ensue. And I’m left with a decision to either give up and try to fix everything on my own or continue to dig deep into my relationship with Jesus.
Digging deep into my relationship with Jesus means digging into the Word. As I was reading recently, I felt like an enormous spotlight was shined upon my seasons of confusion (and the seeming silence from God during those times).
Colossians 3:3 – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Those nine words kept rolling around in my head. And then an exercise of my beliefs followed:
I believe that God knows everything.
I believe that God sees everything.
I believe that God is intimately aware of my life & circumstances.
I believe he cares deeply about me and longs to direct me faithfully.
So, if all of these things are true, it means I have to digest this passage of Scripture and embrace it’s reality. Sometimes God intentionally holds back answers from us. It’s not that he’s confused or doesn’t know where to go. It’s not that the biggest issues of my life have stumped him. He just longs for me to come to him. God knows the answers, and he’s hidden my “real life” with Christ. When I pursue my relationship with Jesus, the answers to my life are sure to follow.
Turns out that sometimes God hides the answers so that I will continue to dig into my relationship with Jesus. How incredibly liberating. He cares much more about our relationship (which fully satisfies and gives wisdom, guidance and perspective) than he does about giving easy answers to tough questions.
Why would God hide the answers if he knows everything? Turns out he wants relationship with us more than he wants us to understand everything. If you’re walking through a season that God seems silent, maybe he wants you to lean in and listen.
Real life is hidden with Christ in God. Amazing.
