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Why God Matters - now more than ever

Why God Matters. T.H.R.I.V.E., #45
Especially when life is rough
Why does God matter? Asked another way: why does following God matter? Because he is real. He is the single force that holds all things together. Friend, you can discover life with him, grow to know and love him and be loved by him at a young age … or you can spend a lifetime looking for real meaning, and miss it. But know this--God alone answers the big questions of life . . . at every age.
One who looked for meaning was Solomon. He wrote, Vanity of Vanities - all is vanity or meaningless - Ecclesiastes 1.2 - and the chapter continues with no satisfaction from intellect or pleasure. Is life pointless? Kind of - unless you have a relationship with God.
So here’s the thing—if there is a God who created you and longs to fill you and fulfill you, wouldn’t you want to know? Wouldn’t you want to have your own experience with him? 
Of course you would. God matters because as your Creator, he gives you your reason for being, your purpose. Isaiah 43.7. Look around at young people, adults—who seem to have some things figured out, learn from them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Check out churches, worship experiences and even podcasts that are alive! Don’t miss out. The reason your faith in God is so important in your life is not because of faith itself, rather it is because of him—the object of your faith! GOD IS.
God matters because when you have a relationship with him, you will never be alone again. God promises he will never abandon you … he is always with you.
so, whether you know it or not, God is there
whether you feel it or not, God is there
when it is late at night, and you are in your bed at home, God is there
when you feel overwhelmed or lost, God is there
  
No matter where you find yourself, if you are a child of God, you are never out of his reach, never alone. God said: “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Hebrews 13.5 
God matters because he will lead your life if you look to him. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.’ Proverbs 3.5-6 Real life example from a few years ago. I felt like perhaps I should take a break and pray about my effectiveness as a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at San Clemente High School and the Sunday Night Live portion which took students deeper, after almost four years. [All leaders should, from time to time, press ‘pause’ to think, pray, and ask God about such things.] Through a couple happenings, I believed God said, ‘Let go … pass the baton.’ 
I obeyed, though I did not really understand the ‘why,’ and to be honest, letting go hurt a lot, especially in the not-knowing-ness. However, there was about to be so much required of me that I could not have known. One thing, my oldest son beaten up in San Francisco, sustaining brain trauma which led to grand mal seizures, and my needing to spend time in Northern California, getting him medical attention, and relocating him so that he could walk to work. I didn’t know that was coming! I didn’t know 15-year-old Dylan would be a week in the hospital with a strange malady--pericarditis, his heart-- but God knew. Here’s the thing—when you are following God, he leads, he guides, he directs. He sees around corners you cannot. God matters. 
God matters because he is the one cONsTANt in a world that is constantly in motion, constantly changing. God is faithful, and he is trustworthy.
No one should draw conclusions about God and faith for you … no one. If you are a young person, not even your parents. Not your mate. No one.
To the young person, your faith will be mocked. Heading back to college this fall? Three or four weeks into a college science class, some of you will feel defeated in your faith, because your arrogant teacher will shake your belief in God by telling you that science and Christianity are incompatible; or she will tell you science destroys the claims of the Bible, take your pick. Then she will throw a few intellectual terms in there, and you will be sitting there with your mouth open, and no words coming out. In no uncertain terms, he will chew you up and spit you out because you do not know in fact that science backs up the Bible, science points to God as our intelligent designer, for as Paul wrote in Romans 1.20 that creation points to God— ’For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.’
God matters because he will set all wrongs to right one day. God will avenge the wrong that has been done to you. Romans 12.17-21
God matters because his love has the power to draw you, hold, save and sustain you. I saw this at work yesterday. I had given a message about the love of God at a funeral, including painting the pictures from Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 and then John 10 where Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10.11, 27 ‘Do you hear his voice? Does he lead you? That might tell you whether or not you know him.’ I encouraged those in the small family gathering to consider whether or not they would see their loved one again in Heaven - after all, it was their choice.
An hour into dinner together after, the young man sitting across from me (grandson of the deceased), started crying. I thought it was because of the loss of his dear grandmother; turns out he was moved by what he heard about God, feeling his love draw him. You see, it had been a while since he had such feelings as he had put a stiff arm between himself and Church/God, as he had been so hurt by people in the Church. To which I say, ‘But, God . . .’ But God loves. But God is not the flawed church or the judgmental, off-hypocritical folk in the church. God loves, God draws.
This reminds me of Jesus’ words: If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself. John 12.32
God matters because your eternity matters … where would you like to spend it? The question deserves a little investigation. Oh yes, God matters.
Christine
PastorWoman.com
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