It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Every trip to the basement forces me to walk past my project corner. The project corner occupies a large space filled with multiple steel shelving units intended to warehouse all my arts and crafts project supplies.
To be fair, the shelving units do an excellent job storing crafting materials and art supplies. But over the twelve years we lived in this house, the shelves have become home to the many unfinished, abandoned projects I’ve set aside with every good intention of finishing at a later, more creatively convenient time.
There’s a set of 3-foot-high wire-frame Christmas trees waiting to be dressed completely in the white feather boa wraps and silver ornaments that I could see so beautifully in my mind when I began the project…unfortunately, my creative vision didn’t include a sign reminding me that I’m allergic to feathers. (I’m still trying to figure out how to finish the project without breaking out in hives or setting my sinuses ablaze.)
There are canvases of all sizes filled with sketches that need to be painted; bracelets strung with beads, stones, and metalwork crying out for the finishings and fasteners that would make them wearable; bags of crocheted half-completed hats and scarves that are too short to do the job; and more almost, not-quite, just a little more “whatever-is-needed-to-finish-the job projects stacked on my supply shelves.
All those projects waiting and wondering: Will they ever leave the basement craft shelf? Will they ever be completed? Will they ever fulfill the purpose for which they were originally designed?
Unfinished. Lacking purpose. Forgotten. Abandoned.
Have you ever felt like this in your spiritual walk with God?
When you began this journey, you thought you were on exactly the right path. You felt you were growing and walking with God. Then one day, you realize that you’re still moving – slower than before, but still forward – you hope, then uncertainty brings you to a halt, and you feel like you’re standing alone. You don’t know what happened or when, but something is definitely different. You don’t want to admit it, but you feel alone. You feel abandoned.
Friend, I believe all believers – every one of us – experience these moments.
Certainly, if David, the shepherd boy, giant slayer, warrior hero, the sweet psalmist of Israel, and its chosen King, struggled with feelings of abandonment at times, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we all will have those moments as well.
How did David handle those times?
- David cried out to God, “Don’t forget me – Don’t abandon me!” Psalm 13:1, 27:7-9, 38:21, 71:9
- David laid his concerns before God. Psalm 22:1,11,19; 25:4-5; 27:11
- David confessed his sins and shortcomings. Psalm 51:10-12
- David committed himself once again to God’s leading and purpose. Psalm 25:4-5; 27:7-9,11
- David celebrated the repeated demonstrations of God’s faithfulness in his life and his certainty that God would do it again! Psalm 22:24, 26:7, 27:13-14, 50:23, 77:11,105:5, 143:5
The Psalmist has shown us how to approach times when we feel forgotten and abandoned.
Cry out to God. Lay your concerns before Him. Tell Him what you are feeling. He is listening, whether it “feels” like He’s there or not. Not one word you utter goes unnoticed.
Confess your sins, your failures, and your flaws. Maybe you feel you’ve confessed and all has been forgiven. Ask God to reveal anything in your heart, mind, or actions that might be creating a barrier between you and God – then surrender that thing to God.
Commit yourself, once again or maybe, for the first time, to follow faithfully, trusting God every step of the way. Ask for His Holy Spirit’s power to live a life of faith and trust.
Remind yourself of the many times God has blessed you and proven Himself faithful. Celebrate what He has done in your life in the past and what He will do today and tomorrow.
Know with certainty that His love is unchanging and everlasting. You have never been His project; you are His cherished child.
Sometimes, the feeling of God’s absence is simply the Spirit’s wake-up call to be more mindful of God and His presence in your life.
Most likely, my abandoned projects will remain unfinished. At some point, I may farm out some of the projects to other crafters who can enjoy remaking them. I may even feel compelled to complete a couple – we’ll see what the future brings.
Thankfully, I am not a project abandoned and forgotten by God. And neither are you. We are His beloved children, and His eyes and ears are always open to us.
God will never forsake you. He will never forget you. And He will never abandon you or any of His dear children – not one. Not ever.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV