God Never Leaves Us | WR
This article is based on Episode #119 of the Order Within Podcast. You can listen to the full episode here.
God Never Leaves Us
In a world filled with chaos and darkness, it's easy to question whether God exists or if He's abandoned us. When we see injustice prevail, when good people suffer, and when those who do wrong seem to prosper, our faith can waver.
These challenges might lead us to view God as absent or even cruel, rather than recognizing Him as the loving, heavenly Father that He truly is.
The Fall and Our Separation
Recently, I came across a video where someone defended Satan, suggesting he was "setting humanity free" while God was restricting knowledge. This perspective reveals how little many understand about Scripture.
Satan's words and deception are clearly documented in Genesis. He manipulated Adam and Eve, leading to humanity's fall from grace and creating the separation from God that we experience today.
We had paradise in Eden.
We had unity with God.
We were one with Him, living in a state of innocence and abundance where we didn't know death, suffering, or evil. But through the tree of knowledge of good and evil, we fell from that paradise state into our current state of separation.
Many criticize God for placing the tree in Eden, seeing it as cruel or restrictive. But God was protecting us. He warned that eating from the tree would bring death.
And though Adam and Eve didn't die immediately, death entered our existence at that moment.
We chose separation from God, and with it came the suffering and chaos we see in the world today.
Our Choices Take Us Away From God
God never abandons us.
He never leaves us.
He is always present, always there.
Sometimes He's silent, sometimes He's still, but we are never alone.
The distance we perceive comes from our choices taking us away from Him.
And sometimes he is testing our strength and resolve to handle hard moments in life because suffering is inevitable, with or without God.
When we aren't obedient to God's teachings, we drift further from His presence.
Our society rebels against any limitations, seeking total freedom even at the cost of our spiritual well-being. And like children, we make poor choices, suffer the consequences, and then blame God for the outcomes.
God's commandments aren't arbitrary restrictions. They're guidelines to help us live our best lives in His light. Just as parents establish boundaries for their children's protection and growth, God provides spiritual guidance for our benefit.
Yet we continually reject His wisdom, choosing our own path instead.
And look where that's gotten us. In America, especially, we can indulge in endless pleasures and live however we want. But has this freedom from God's teachings made our world better?
As moral standards continually shift in our secular society, we lose our foundation.
Taking Accountability
In Genesis, after eating the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed God and Eve, while Eve blamed the serpent. No one took accountability. This pattern continues today.
We dismiss God's existence, mock His teachings as outdated and irrelevant, and then wonder why the world is in chaos.
We blame God for every tragedy but give Him no credit for the good in our lives or the incredible harmony of creation.
This lack of accountability prevents our spiritual growth. We must accept responsibility for our actions and their consequences. This does not mean that every bad thing in our life is a punishment or a direct result of our actions, but we too often pick and choose our relationship with God like it’s a buffet line.
This creates unnecessary suffering.
God's Redemption and Grace
The beautiful truth is that despite our failings, redemption and grace are always available. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight and love. He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will."
God's love is boundless, demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. As Romans 5:8 reminds us: "But God demonstrates his own love for us with this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Through Jesus, all our transgressions can be forgiven. This doesn't mean God approves of every way we live, but His love remains constant.
God Awaits Our Choice
God wants a consensual relationship with us. He is not a puppet master controlling our every move. He gives us free will because a relationship without choice has no meaning or joy.
Like all loving relationships, our connection with God must be consensual. He waits for us to invite Him into our lives. He yearns to connect with us, but will never force Himself upon us. Force doesn't change hearts; it only creates resentment.
When we open our hearts to God, He guides us on a beautiful journey. He tests our faith, strength, and obedience—not to break us, but to help us grow into our highest potential as He envisions.
Finding What We Truly Seek
The world tells us to seek pleasure and happiness in material things, but this path leads to emptiness. Only through God will we find what our souls truly seek.
Only through Christ will we fill the void within us.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead our lives, everything transforms.
Life isn't found in worldly pursuits but in our relationship with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray that God shows us His wisdom and helps us know the love and power He holds. For those who are curious or open to His ways, may He help them open their hearts to His love and direction. May they find trust and peace in Him.
For those in darkness, sadness, or depression, may God's light shine in their lives and help them heal. Through Him, all things are possible. All challenges can be overcome with His love and power.
God bless you all.