How do I connect with God?

Why is it that somedays I wake up and have a feeling or sense that God is near? On those days, I can tangibly feel His love for me. And why is it that the very next day or maybe a few weeks later I am in a spiritual funk? I can't 'feel' God's presence or sense His love at all.

I've been wrestling with these questions since I got to seminary. I've been trying to process my way through them. This semester, with the help of John Owen (and Dr. John Hannah, and my small group going through spiritual disciplines), I think I've begun to hit upon an answer. My main problem is not that God is near one day and the next day He is far away from me. My main problem is that I rely on how I am feeling at the time to dictate what I believe to be most true. Therefore, what is needed is for me to beg for help from the Holy Spirit (pray) that He will help me to focus my mind and heart on what is true (meditate) about God and about me. I need to pray that He will give me eyes of faith in order to see past my feelings to what is true. Here are a few of the truths which are helping me right now; I hope they are helpful to you.


Where is God?

God is everywhere. (Psalm 139:7-10) This means that He is by my side at all times. Therefore, He knows my problems, temptations, worries, and thoughts.

God is reigning over the universe from His throne. (Psalm 47:8; 93:1-5) Because he is everywhere present and able to judge I should thoughtfully consider my actions and thoughts with fear and trembling because he sees and judges them.

Who am I?

I am a fallen member of Adam’s race (Romans 5:12-17). Because of my fallen nature there is a rebellious part of me which desires the opposite of what God desires (Romans 7). I cannot overcome this rebellious part of me without the Holy Spirit’s help (Romans 8).

I am also one who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9-11, Titus 2:14, Ephesians 2). I have the Spirit of God living inside of me helping me to overcome the flesh and live a life pleasing to God (Romans 8).

What is my duty?

My duty is of one purpose with two complementary means for achieving it: to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself (Matt. 22:34-40). The means of accomplishing this duty are various, but the Spirit’s enablement is vital (Acts 1:8). My duty seems to be summed up in Micah 6:8, to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God”.