I’ve been serving on committees, teaching Sunday School, or organizing events at church since middle school.  Long enough to know that sometimes our ministry feels like the fellowship of the saints in the presence of Jesus, and sometimes it feels like God is the one that missed church this week. Figuring out what to do when God seems absent can be discouraging, but often it’s a matter of taking three steps.

I try to remind myself that God is with me but it’s hard to believe when I don’t see anything happening. Faith, fully lived calls me to embrace the opportunities God places on my pathway. Following begins with the first step of telling God what I need.

1. Express your doubt

I found myself feeling left out when a friend shared a story about the positive impact of a neighboring church, and the national news reported a revival at a college across the country. “God seems easy to spot somewhere else,” I thought as I brushed my teeth on Sunday morning. When I prayed for his guidance …I tasted the minty toothpaste, but I heard silence.

In John chapter 20, Jesus’ disciple, Thomas hears stories from friends about what God was up to. ” We have seen the Lord!” they exclaimed. Thomas had seen his hopes of a Messiah dashed the week before. His dreams of God’s Kingdom were in ruins. Thomas wasn’t having it, “Unless I see…and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

2. Step Inside

I’ve heard this Bible story all my life. My teachers have emphasized the latter part of verse 29, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” They led me to believe that when I couldn’t see what he was doing, God expected me to keep going with confidence and faith. And on one level that’s true. But it’s hard to take a step on the pathway forward when it seems like even the path is lost in a distant fog.

Dallas Willard says, “The heavens are not far way, they touch on down to earth, so step inside!” And because that’s true, as I was reflecting on this story this week, the doorway to heaven opened for me.  In verse 27 before Jesus encourages all of us to believe without seeing, he says to Thomas, “Put your finger here…see my hands.” Jesus responded to Thomas’ discouragement with proximity. He made it clear to Thomas that he was near.

It’s great to believe without seeing, but that should never keep us from inviting God to join us in the place where we find ourselves. As I found myself asking, “Lord where are you?” I began to glimpse evidence of heaven near me, not light years away.

3. Grab a Hand

Jesus grace for Thomas reminds me that God is just as close to me here, as he is to those down the street, or across the country. This assurance gives me just enough light to see the next steps ahead. Have all the problems in my situation resolved? No, not really, but my burden is lighter. I’m finding myself noticing God’s daily miracles of mercy for me and my community. There’s plenty of opportunity for those who follow Jesus to join in serving their neighbors. There are plenty of neighbors to serve. God is already working in the places where I find myself. In Psalm 73:23 the psalmist reminds God, “Yet, I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”

Living Faith*Fully draws on the deep assurance that God is not withholding his best work from me. His calling on my life is filled with the richness of his presence. If I’m finding it hard to believe, he is inviting me to reach out and touch him. When I do, like the Psalmist, I begin to see that he is already holding my hand.