I feel lost, God! How do I find my way back home?

Have you been plagued by this thought repeatedly and it feels like you do not know the way out? You feel like you are too far gone to retrace your steps back? One thing I can tell you first of, is that it is not too late to find your way back.

As in the journey of life, do you continue to go down the wrong route because you are already in the wrong lane? Life is a journey and usually not a straightforward one. It has so many twists and turns that it is most likely you will veer off track at some point – even for the most strategic and visionary of people. Answer this: How could anyone, in hindsight, prepared themselves for the year 2020? From a deadly pandemic to a global movement for racial justice, to mention a few. What has all of these done? It has thrown many people into a state of despondency and some even doubting the goodness of God.

Our walk with God is a journey.

So also, the Christian life is a journey or process in which we are constantly faced with unprecedented events that occasionally shake the core of our belief. While some see it as “unfair”, those discerning have come to realise that this process leads to spiritual growth, discipleship, spiritual transformation, and sanctification. Though we may not realise it at first, the process helps us to grow into the image of who Christ wants us to be. For along the path our faith is refined and we learn to trust God deeply and know His love for us.

Why do I feel lost?

Why does it feel like God is a million miles away then? Why does it feel like God is not listening to me anymore when I pray? To answer questions like this, it may be due to some of the non-exhaustive reasons below:

Trials of Life

Just like myself, I am sure there are others who have gone through a phase in life that feels like it is way beyond their load-bearing capacity. During these trials, it feels like you are not in sync with God, yet our good God uses the storms of life to mould our character and refine our nature. We must believe that no matter the storm, God’s purpose is to reveal himself in and through us.

The Apostle Paul looked at all circumstances that came to him and wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18) and also wrote that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Living in Sin

For every true believer, there must be a sense of uneasiness when you begin to live in sin and fail to repent of it. As the Bible says, it is our iniquity that has separated us from him (Isaiah 59:2). However, God’s presence has not changed because He does not change; it is our hearts that is far from him.

“I am the LORD, and I do not change.” (Mal. 3:6) and Isaiah also wrote, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15).

The fact is, when living in sin, we lose our fellowship with God, even though our relationship with Him remains. Nothing can sedate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39). It is just like when a child disobeys their parent; they may gain their parent’s hand of discipline but never lose their love.

Spiritual Lukewarmness

Lukewarm Christians have one foot in the world and the other in church. The term “lukewarm” comes directly from Revelation 3:15-16. This is the Spirit speaking through John the Apostle to the church in Laodicea. He says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

So, how can you tell when you are becoming lukewarm? You tend to live a different life openly and another secretly; You would rather be accepted socially, rather than reveal your faith in Jesus Christ; You do not enjoy doing things that draw you closer to God but rather in things that offends His holiness.

How do I get back on Track?

It is one thing to feel lost temporarily, but it’s another to wander away completely from God. Even at that, God does not find pleasure in just saving a couple of lost souls He has called, He wants to save us all to the uttermost! That’s how much he loves us. So, do not think for a second that you do not matter, because you do.

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:4-6

If you are lost, the Lord will seek you to find you, just like He came looking for Adam in the garden, and He will not grow tired in doing that again and again. He doesn’t judge you based on your faults. However, don’t be complacent, you have a part to play in retracing your steps back to God. Just like the prodigal son.

He said, “All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father.” Luke 15:17-20

Taking it all in

Have you gone off track? You must wake up to who you really are and know that God has not abandoned you. On days when you cannot find your bearing, seek God and let him guide you. Remember, there is no place that is too far away for God to find you and reach you. In fact, you must believe that God wants to be found even more than you want to find him.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Start with repentance

This is not only an admission of wrongdoing, but also a pledge to change your ways. One step in repentance erases a thousand steps of disobedience. Only when David repented of his sins and honestly sought God’s forgiveness was he washed anew in the presence of his Father.

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 (NIV)

Renew your walk with God

If there’s anything in your life has taken precedence over God, you need to re-prioritise. Consider limiting the amount of time you spend on activities/distractions (e.g., Social media, Netflix, hangouts, etc) and use that time to grow closer to God. Waking up a half hour earlier to read the Bible and pray might be just what you need to help you strengthen your relationship with Christ. Be committed to growing in the Lord. The Scriptures show us how to get close to God, and that he will draw near to us so that we won’t feel so distant from Him.

Remain at alert

We must not be ignorant of the vices of the enemy, we must “stay woke” as one may say these days. Spiritual warfare is not a fable, it is very real and dangerous. The devil keeps looking for ways to attack to weaken your faith and drive you from God’s presence. We must stay vigilant through prayer, worship, and God’s word.

“Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet 5:8

Reach for help

It can be easy to become overwhelmed by life, but instead of holding everything in, reach out for help. Please speak with anyone whom you trust and can share your burdens with. Sometimes, it is pride that makes us feel self-sufficient. Scripture tells us that “the LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18) and that He only gives His grace to those who are humble (James 4:6). Pride makes God distant from us, so pride can also be a distraction that makes us feel distant from God.

The summary of the whole matter is that God loves you still no matter how undeserving you may think. Grace, by its very definition, is unmerited favour from God or a gift we don’t deserve. One way the devil wins the fight is by plaguing you with guilt, so you do not accept God’s forgiveness. However, when you do not accept God’s forgiveness, it is like saying what Jesus did on the Cross is not enough.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).

No condemnation whatsoever! Hallelujah!!!

A note to others: This is to everyone who has found their way and gotten a hang of the Christian journey ahead. When you are about to pass judgement on someone who seems lost, please ask yourself: “What did I need when I was in this state, how can I offer love or what would Jesus do?” Rather than toss out a Scripture or subtle criticism, let’s slow down and consider the work of the Spirit in born-again hearts. Have a conversation; learn a little more about that person and see how you can walk toward Jesus together. If loving help/correction seems not to be working, let’s tarry in the place of prayer for them.