LOST (spiritually) and FOUND

I talk with people every day who feel spiritually lost. I speak with non-Christians who are hung up on emotional and spiritual issues that keep them from trusting in the way of Jesus. I talk with disciples who feel let down by expectations that may or may not be biblical. I meet with ministers both paid and volunteer who feel God is a million miles away due to their fatigue. I listen to people share stories about tragedies in their lives that make them question everything they believe.

Why do people get lost spiritually? Sometimes it is due to neglect. Like any relationship if we neglect to pray and spend time with Jesus, the relationship grows cold. Sometimes it is a moral issue. I don't feel as close to my kids and vice versa if they are disobeying my desires. The same is true of God. Sometimes it is intellectual. The world has a way of making lovers of Jesus feel stupid with the prevailing worldview of cynicism and comfort. Sometimes it is God simply withdrawing from us so our faith can grow. It is easy to trust God when our prayers are answered and our hearts are flooded with joy from his presence. Even Jesus had to experience lostness (Psalm 22, Hebrews 5:8-9) in order to mature in his faith as a human. Let that sink in a bit and you will not feel so alone.

How do we find our way when we are lost?
1. Be patient.
2. Keep praying. See Psalm 22.
3. Find people who have gone through periods of lostness themselves and ask for help. It is encouraging to to know others have felt what you feel and have come to know God more deeply because of their trials.
4. Be humble. Ask God to teach you whatever he is wanting to teach you.
5. Trust. Others have gone through periods of spiritual lostness before and found their way to a deeper level of faith.
6. Give up comfort for character. See James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5. God obviously cares more about the later than the former. The later is what leads to joy. Our happiness is so much more dependent on our character than our circumstances. The same is true of our experience of God.
7. Examine your heart. Do you want God more than anything else? If so you will find him. Jeremiah 29:13

This will be our topic week at Restoration Saturday night.

Join us at Restoration Community Church in Denver