A Layman’s Reflection on Seeking a Deeper Relationship with God
Introduction
Many people, whether religious or not, feel a longing deep inside for something more—for connection, meaning, and hope. For Christians, this longing is understood as a desire to experience the very presence of God. But even with this desire, the journey to God is often blocked by obstacles, some obvious and some harder to spot. So, why is it so hard to get close to God, and what can we do about it?
The Main Obstacle: Our Human Nature
The first and biggest hindrance is our own nature. According to the Bible, before we come to faith, our natural state is out of sync with God—almost like trying to mix oil and water. Sin—meaning our tendency to turn away from God and do things our own way—repels us from His pure presence. Even after becoming a believer, old habits and struggles don’t just disappear; we have to face them head-on.
Common Hindrances to Experiencing God’s Presence
1. Manmade Errors and Misconceptions
· Thinking All Religions Lead to God: Some people believe all paths are equal, but Christianity teaches that Jesus is not just another teacher—He is God’s final word to humanity. Ignoring this unique message can keep us from seeking God’s presence seriously.
· Believing We Have No Spiritual Responsibility: Sometimes, we assume God will take care of everything, so we don’t need to do anything. But God has already taken the initiative by sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It’s up to us to respond, pay attention, and take spiritual matters seriously.
· Wanting the Message to Be Entertaining: Today, everything seems to need to be funny or lighthearted to get attention. But when it comes to God, some things are serious and deserve our careful thought. The Bible, like medicine or food, only helps us if we actually take it in and apply it.
2. The Influence of Contemporary Culture
We live in a world that constantly distracts us. With so much vying for our attention—entertainment, work, social media—it’s easy to become numb to what really matters. This is called “cauterizing the conscience,” where repeated exposure to immorality or distractions dulls our sensitivity to spiritual things. Instead of being moved by God’s call, we find ourselves unmoved or uninterested.
3. Spiritual Lethargy
Even those who consider themselves Christians can fall into a spiritual sleepiness. We worry about money, health, or safety, but rarely are we concerned about our souls. As Thomas à Kempis put it, we waste energy on things that do us little good, while neglecting what matters most—our relationship with God.
4. Giving God the Leftovers
Life’s demands often mean that God only gets whatever time or energy we have left over. Instead of making God a priority, we squeeze Him in when convenient. But history shows that people like Susannah Wesley (mother of John Wesley), despite busy lives, found ways to seek God with real dedication. The truth is, we don’t have to choose between our responsibilities and our spiritual growth—we can do both with intentionality.
5. The Endless Pursuit of Pleasure
Our culture encourages us to chase comfort, entertainment, and pleasure. But these things, while enjoyable, can become distractions from what’s truly important. Peter warned us to “save yourselves from this untoward generation,” reminding us that God is deeply serious about our spiritual state. If we aren’t careful, we can drift away from spiritual truth without even realizing it.
6. Letting Truth Leak Away
Sometimes, we make resolutions—promising ourselves to pray more, read the Bible, or live better. But, like a leaky bucket, our good intentions fade away quickly. Spiritual things are gentle and wait for us to notice, while worldly distractions shout for our attention. To grow closer to God, we need to be intentional and persistent, not letting our resolve slip away.
Practical Steps to Overcome Hindrances
· Take Spiritual Matters Seriously: Don’t treat your relationship with God as an afterthought. Make time to pray, read, and reflect regularly.
· Resist Cultural Distractions: Limit entertainment and distractions that dull your sensitivity to God’s voice.
· Persist, Even When It’s Hard: Expect obstacles. The journey isn’t always easy, but overcoming them makes the destination much more valuable.
· Don’t Go It Alone: Find encouragement in the community of faith, and remember that God’s Spirit is with you to help you overcome.
· Respond to God’s Initiative: Remember, God has already reached out. Now, it’s up to you to respond with all your heart.
Conclusion
Experiencing God’s presence is one of the most valuable pursuits in life, but it’s not without its challenges. Whether it’s our own nature, misconceptions, cultural distractions, or simple spiritual laziness, the path can be tough. But the good news is that none of these obstacles are insurmountable. With determination, faith, and a serious commitment, anyone can draw closer to God. The reward—knowing and experiencing God’s presence—is worth every effort.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 