Where Is God When I'm Lost

When I was in the first grade I was walking home from school on that first day, a walk of about a mile.  All of a sudden I stopped, began looking around and was frantic.  This six year old little boy was lost.  I didn't know what to do. 

And then I spotted it.  There sat a big old yellow tractor-trailer rig parked in an empty lot near our home.  Once I spotted that marker I knew that home was near, and I continued walking home.  As I topped the hill and rounded the last turn on Franklin Avenue, I was relieved to first spot Mrs. Gillespie’s house and then our house next door. 

On other occasions when I've gotten lost, a simple U-turn was all it took to find my way to the correct spot.

When I’m lost, I look for markers.  When I’m lost, sometimes I have to go back, closer to the beginning, and try again.

A few times in my lost-ness, I've had to call for help.  “Where are you?  I can’t find you?

And sometimes, when we are lost, we are tempted to question “Where Is God?”

Where Is God?

Great question. 

Where is God …?

  ~When people are beheaded

   ~When inflation sets in

    ~When leaders fail to lead

     ~When the economy falters

      ~When worlds collide

     ~When young children are abducted into sex-trade

    ~When our kids are addicted

   ~When bullies rear their ugly heads

  ~When we are out of peanut butter

Where is God?  That’s a question many ask on many occasions. 

My words are simple.  Here they are.

He is nearby. 

He is present in the filth, the degradation, the muck and mud of every human condition we could name. 

That is the answer, and it is a difficult answer with which to cope sometimes.  Consider this.

When God set up this whole ordered system on earth He gave Adam and Eve power over every living thing on earth.  They could do whatever they wanted except eat from one certain tree – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In other words, if they partook of that tree, then they took on the power of choice, and choice is the one thing God has said He would never override in humanity.

We have the greatest power on earth – the power to choose, and we own it free and clear. 

Our opening premise was one about being lost when we can’t find our way.  Do you see the connection?  Perhaps we are lost because we've made so many poor choices, and the overgrown vines of those bad choices have obscured the way.  

Our choices have hidden the markers along the way.  God has put signs in place as guide posts, yet we have trampled on those.  We've ignored them.  We've used self-will as our motto, and ignored the more reasonable signs of responsibility and respect.

And what does God think of all of this?

He is saddened at our predicament.  Oh, He wants to help, and He will if asked.  But He will not override our power of choice. 

Psalm 50:15 says this:  “Call on me in the time of trouble and I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”

Another – Psalm 86:7:  “In the day of trouble I will call upon you God, and you will answer me.”

And this one:  “You shall call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry and He shall say “Here I am.”

~Isaiah 58:9

John 14:14 offers this:  “If you ask for anything in My Name, I will do it.”

Where is God when I am lost?  He’s one request away.  He is one shout-out away. 

His short answer is … “HERE I AM!”

Reach up, or out, or call, or shout, or pray, or whatever our preferred stance may be. 

Above all, God is standing nearby.  He’s awaiting your call.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Finding God in the Hard Places

When the hard places come along, as they surely will, we sometimes wonder if God is anywhere nearby. 

When those we love are gone, does God know the ache and break of our heart?

When we experience any kind of loss, what then?

Though the dark places hide his face, do we still trust?

This post, I hope, is a post meant to help restore our faith in those painful moments of life. 

In the middle of these hard places, God’s great grace flows down to us just as much as it does in the middle of a spiritual experience.  The beautiful part of the grace story is this – “Grace means that God is on our side and thus we are victors regardless of how well we have played the game.”

~Brennan Manning

It is hard to play a good game when we are in the middle of the hard places.  We don’t function at our best.  We don’t think as clearly in those moments, and we sometimes let the hard places consume us.

The toughest thing to do when the hard places come along is to get up the next morning, to put on our clothes, affix a smile to our face, and place one foot in front of the other.  And then, repeat, repeat, repeat.  I’ll admit – that is tough.  And soon, I pray that you find the strength to do just that.  Here are some choice verses for us today.

“God is our refuge and strength.  He is a readily available helper in times of trouble.”

~Psalm 46:1

Hebrews 13:5b reminds us of this:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I Peter 5:7: “Cast all your cares on Him (on Christ), for He cares for you.”

Matthew 28:20b:  “Remember, I am with you always – even to the very end of these ages.”

Isaiah 41:13:  “Fear not; I am with you; be not dismayed.  I – your God – will give you strength.  I will hold you up with my strong right hand of righteousness.”

Do you see the themes represented here?

~I never leave you

~I care for you

~I am with you

~I will give you strength

These are some of the great words of comfort and encouragement found in the scriptures. 

Best of all, they are your words for those hard places in life.

Claim your promise. 

Claim you anchor of hope.

Claim the presence of God himself as revealed in His great promises.

He is present – every moment - every day - every experience.

Thanks be to God.

Please listen to this most encouraging medley.

Sandi Patty - Savior Medley

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

The Whisper We Long to Hear

When we whisper, we intend our words for some intimate someone who draws so close that we touch.  Sometimes it is a hand to their ear, and they feel our very breath as we say whatever esteeming words we utter.

Often, in odd moments during our day, Carolyn and I will whisper to each other those esteeming words couples in love love to hear.  “I love you.”

From God, what whispers do you want to hear? 

The cry of every human heart is to know that we matter, that someone, some divine being, is on duty, looking our way and caring for us.

We live in an age on the world stage when a lot of uncertainty abounds.  Who will invade whom?  Will some itchy finger push the BIG button first, before the other side can mount a defense?  Will we live to see our next birthday, or next Christmas? 

Allow these strongly encouraging words to surround you today.

When we trust,

when we listen,

we can hear the voice;

“Do not be afraid. 

I am with you.”

~Brennan Manning

The words come from the Holy Scriptures.

My first favorite passage is from Joshua 1:9.  God is speaking to Joshua.

“Be not afraid nor dismayed.  I, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 41:10 says this: 

“So do not fear, I am with you.

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will give you strength.  I’ll help you.

I will lift you up with my righteous right hand.”

One night Christ was out taking a stroll on the water.  His disciples saw him and became terrified.  His words rang out.

“Don’t be afraid.  Be encouraged.  I am here.”

~Matthew 14:27

When Mary was approached by the angel who told her of what was about to rock her world, his first words were these: 

“Don’t be afraid, Mary.  You have found favor with God.”

Time and again, in the scriptures we see how God whispers to us.  His words include “Be not afraid.”

BE NOT AFRAID!

That is a whisper that can still our troubled hearts.

Thanks be to God.

Please take four minutes and watch this. 

Be Not Afraid - John Michael Talbot

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Our World Is in Trouble

We aren't playing at our best these days.  People in whom we should be able to trust are lying to us.

Officials we elect to high public office appear to change courses in mid stream and go against what they promised.

The words “honor” and “trustworthy” have apparently lost their significance in some leadership circles.

Some of our leaders have an apparent blatant disregard for the laws of the land and bend and twist them to their own liking, and we don’t see much recrimination for those breaches of trust.

Our world is in trouble.

Twenty-one Egyptian Christians are abducted and beheaded.  And there are verifiable reports of other such slayings.

The threat of some kind of viral epidemic is ever present.

There is a constant threat of invasion by one or more enemies.

We are faced with school shootings, shopping mall massacres, and the loss of basic rights as citizens of a democratic society.

Our world is in trouble.

The mention of God is absent from our schools, and even prohibited on many fronts.

Public prayers are being silenced. 

Our world is in trouble.

What is a person to do?  Where do we turn to for help?

In John 16:33 we find this promise of hope. 

Christ is speaking.  “I have said it before ... and I’ll say it again so that you will have peace.  In this world you will have troubles.  Be encouraged.  In the end, I overcome the world.”

Christ himself wants to reassure us that He will ultimately win.  And along the way, we will experience His peace. 

And when the end comes … His words resound loud and clear.

I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!

What a fine promise that is.

God sees our troubled world and He has a plan.

Take courage!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Looking for Scars

Scars are ugly.  Nobody wants to show them.  As a matter of fact, we go to great lengths to hide our scars. 

We use cosmetic surgery, makeup, bandages, and any other device that is handy to hide scars.

We even mask our emotional scars with a façade, a smile, a new automobile or clothing – anything to disguise what we really are on the inside.  We as a generation of people spend millions of dollars every year in masking our emotional scars.

Now consider this …

When we come before God, He will not be looking for our trophies, our awards and our accolades.  He will look us over for our scars.  Our scars.

And believe me we all have them. 

And why?  Why will God look for our scars?

Our scars are a badge of honor, you see.

In the Bible we find this:

“I have said this before;

in this world

you will have problems. 

Hold on.  Take heart. 

I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33

There is a blooming flower in the seed of this thought.  Do you see it?  It is full of hope and redemption. 

These are the words of Christ himself, and He is as much as saying,

“I’ll love every scar you bear, and every disappointment and hardship you endure.  I LOVE your scars.”

I don’t like to show my scars too often.  They are ugly and sometimes I still suffer with them.  I have pangs of panic over some of my scars.  Yet, on a daily basis I bring them before God.  And He says, “I see your scars and I love you anyway.  You are beautiful to me.”

WOW!

               Double WOW!

I am reminded of this:

“Cast all your cares on Him

(on Christ), for He cares for you.”

~I Peter 5:7

Got scars?

Bring them to the God big enough to see the beauty on the back side of them.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

His Presence and Promise

One of the great tenants of the Christian faith is a belief in the presence of Christ based on the promises in the Holy Bible.

Consider this:

In Joshua 1:9 we find Joshua right after the death of Moses.  He has been second in command for a while now, yet his leadership skills have been virtually unused for Moses was always nearby. 

He is alone.  He is thinking, and perhaps praying, asking God how in the world he, a mere man, second string at best, can lead the thousands of Israelites into the next phase of their journey.  After forty years of wandering in the dessert, they are about to enter the land of promise under the leadership of Joshua. 

He is fearful.  Scared out of his wits is perhaps a more apt analogy. 

Have you been there before?  Have you faced a new territory, a new venture, and your main mentor all of a sudden leaves the scene.

Now you understand Joshua’s plight.

And along comes a strong word from God.  It goes something like this:

“Now listen up Joshua.  Remember what I said to you.  Don’t worry.  Don’t fear.  I, your God, will be with you wherever you go.”

Don’t worry!  Strong words.

Don’t fear!  Even stronger words.  

God assured Joshua of His presence and wrapped it in a memorable promise.

That is one of my all-time favorite verses, for I too have had to find rest and consolation in those very words on more than one occasion.  And it still works today.

God offers you and me his presence.  Sometimes it is a ‘felt’ experience when God’s spirit seems to settle in around us and hover nearby.  At other times His presence is offered through a scripture, a friend, a phone call, a reaffirming hand on our shoulder, and an encouraging word.  His presence shows up in the usual and sometimes the obscure ways.  What matters is this … He shows up. 

HE SHOWS UP!  He is present when we need him.  That deserves a resounding response.  Offer your praise, give thanks, sing a song, shout out loud, clap your hands, kiss your mate … do something to acknowledge the consistent and abiding presence of God himself.

Wow!  I’m sitting in an airport at this moment as I write, and I tell you I feel that same presence of God here in this corner, as the parade of the world passes my table. 

His promise comes not only from the words to Joshua, but in numerous other scriptures.

Draw near.

Peace be still.

I have come that you might have life.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Promises from the heart of God to your heart and mine.

Praise be to God.

Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace 

- Bill Gaither and Friends 

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Stained by Life

Don’t you hate stains?  Just last week we had to toss one of my best dress shirts because of one simple stain the dry cleaner could not remove.  She (our dry-cleaner) said to Carolyn, 

“Tell Michael to quit feeding his shirts.”

Ouch.  That’s funny and sad all in one comment.

And life goes on.

And the stains of life still soil our lives. 

I’m reminded of King David’s story.  Here it is in a nutshell.

David was a strapping young lad.  Some say he was the apple of God’s eye.  He was athletic, likable, and a natural born leader. 

Time passed. 

He became King of Israel.  And he was a good King – perhaps a great King.

And then one fine day a beautiful woman caught his eye – Bathsheba.  She was irresistible as beauties go and King David slept with her and got her pregnant. 

His first thought was to have her husband killed in battle so he and Bathsheba could carry on their love affair.  And that is what he did.

More time passed.

Nathan, a prophet of God, confronted David with his sins and finally David came to his sense.  He saw the ugly stain of sin and wrong deeds and what they had done to him and to his country.  His confession is found in Psalm 51 in the Holy Bible.

His words sounded something like this:

God, the one who is generous in love

Give me great grace.

One who is huge in mercy,

Will you wipe out my horrible record?

Scrub my guilt with all your might.

Soak my sins in your big laundry tub

The stains of my sins scream at me all day long.

They weigh me down.

You see, David got stained by life.  He let his desires get the best of him and he came out scarred and marred. 

He needed a good soaking in the tub of redemption. 

Have you ever felt that way?  I have.

Oh, I doubt many of us have stooped down to adultery and murder, yet the stains of our wayward lives still cling to us.

The stench of awful attitudes, brutal bumbles and fumbles, lies, deceit, a bit of larceny and misdirection, and other dastardly deeds still haunt us.  We need a good cleansing trip to the redemption tub of God almighty.

And so we do. 

And we come to God, bowing down, confessing, repenting, forsaking – all the past, all the bad, all the ugly slices of our lives and we lay that horrible horde on the confessional altar of God.

And in verse 10 we read David’s request of God.  Perhaps we need this gentle reminder today.

Verse 10

Create a clean heart in me, God.

Put a new and right attitude in me.

Please don’t cast me from your presence

And don’t take your spirit away from me.

Allow me to experience once again the joy of your salvation.

God,  give me a willing spirit once again.

(Psalm 51:10 – Paraphrased b PMB)

This is a model prayer for all mankind.  When we battle temptation, when we relapse, when we sin large or small, the stain clings to us.  What we need is a cleansing agent.  That is God.

Let him do the job for which he is best suited.

Please watch this encouraging video.

Written in Red - Janet Paschal

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time