I was recently speaking with a friend about how he feels his relationship with God has kind of hit a wall.  His faith has kind of been at a standstill and he feels really disconnected from God.  He keeps wondering what he needs to do to allow for God's will to be done in his life.  He feels lost, confused and lonely.

I think that's a place most Christians have been before.  There are seasons of our lives where we're just bursting with fulfillment from our relationship with God.  We feel like things are figured out, we feel that we're doing God's will and are in His favor.  Our path seems clear, and we're walking confidently with our head held high.

Then we have seasons like my friend is experiencing.  You kind of feel empty.  You're questioning things you thought you knew.  You're confused about where God wants you and what He wants you to do.  You feel alone.

I've had that season a few times in my life.  It's extremely discouraging and challenges your relationship with God and your relationship with others.

When I find myself hitting that wall, here's what I do:

Pray

I know that seems obvious, but when you feel disconnected from God, it can be the hardest thing to pursue.

Pray that God's will is done in your life and pray that you will accept His will.  One of the biggest problems when we pray is that we're constantly praying for specifics and hoping that God will yield to our will.

We need to pray for the ability to discern and submit to God's will.  We need to make ourselves available to follow His will.


Bible

Read the Bible.

We're always asking for God to speak to us, but we're not always making ourselves available to hear from Him.  God can reveal things to us through His Word.

Before you sit down to read, pray for God to reveal His will through your reading.  And when you're done reading, talk to Him again!

I'm not saying that every time you pray for revelation and open your Bible, you're going to be slapped with some crazy epiphany.  But there have definitely been times when I have no clue what's going on in my life, I sit down and read one passage and, suddenly, things begin making sense.


Talk

When you're feeling stuck in your faith, it's important to talk it out with someone who can give you some wise insight.  When you're looking for someone to talk to, it's important that they know God and that they know you.  It has to be both, not just one or the other.

God can reveal things to us through people He has placed in our lives.


Worship

This is the hardest thing for me to do when I feel disconnected from God, but it's so crucial.  I'd say the most important time to worship God is when we don't feel like doing it.


I know that, overall, this is nothing profound, but when we find ourselves just staring at what seems to be an impenetrable wall, we sometimes forget the basics.

The best part about reaching a wall in your faith is breaking it down.  Some of my most fulfilling times of growth in my relationship with God were the result of my faith being tested and obstacles being overcome.

So if you're feeling disconnected from God or feel like you've reached a wall in your relationship that you just can't get around, remember that God doesn't let those walls appear to hinder your faith.  It's not meant to be a permanent roadblock that you can't get past.  It's not meant to make you feel alone or abandoned.  God doesn't want you to just search for a way around the wall or turn around and walk back.

Those walls are meant to be broken down.

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Ever since I was about 16 or 17, I've felt drawn to the city of Seattle.  I hadn't been there before.  I didn't really know what the city was like or what made it so special, I just knew I wanted to be there.

At the beginning of August, I finally went to Seattle.  Two friends, my girlfriend and I flew out for one week.  We spent the first couple days hiking and camping in Mt. Rainier National Park, then spent the rest of the time just exploring the city.  Was it everything I hoped it would be?

Yes.

I absolutely loved being there.  I loved the weather, the people, the culture and the location.  I loved that you could look one way and see Puget Sound (part of the Pacific Ocean) and then look the other way and see the Cascade mountains.  I loved that I could walk down the Pike Place Market and see a bunch of people selling local produce, things they had made and other unique items.  I loved how at night time, you could walk around and hear music being played all over the place.  I loved being able to get anywhere without a car.

Seattle pretty much has taken the two of the things I love most, music and the outdoors, and put them in one place.  There's music everywhere, in the form of concerts, museums, record labels and street musicians.  And the Cascade mountains are just a short drive away.  The hiking we did in Mt. Rainier was some of the best hiking I've ever done.  There was so much amazing scenery.  It definitely proved to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

I am almost sure that living in Seattle would be the optimal place for me.  The only problem is how many people I would leave behind here.  I don't want to be a plane ride away from my family, I want to be a short drive away.  I want my future kids to know my family.  I want a long relationship with my friends.

So, right now, I'm not sure how feasible moving there would be.  But it's not all that bad.

One thing I realized while in Seattle was just how much it reminded me of Ann Arbor, where I live now.  Of course, Seattle is much larger, but the culture was very similar.  And in Ann Arbor, I still have to deal with crazy snowfalls and there are no mountain ranges nearby, but I suppose it's a good Seattle-substitute for the time being.

I'm sure there's a reason why I'm so drawn to Seattle, and I intend to find out why.  This trip was just the first step, I'm sure.  And while I'm content where I am right now, I'm looking forward to whatever the future holds, whether it happens in Michigan or Washington.

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