God can seem far off, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who always feels close to God. Yet, many people have found inspiration in these words
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 [NIV]
Michelangelo painted God reaching out to man, and Adam only has to reach out his finger to touch God. John Ortberg takes this as his inspiration in the book God is Closer than you think, with lots of helpful ways of knowing God better, learning from the experiences of all sorts of people throughout history.
People come on Alpha for all sorts of reasons – some are facing a life change, some are keen to come because friends enjoyed it, many are just curious want to find out more for themselves.
In week 2 of Alpha we read Jesus’ story of the lost son together. People relate to the way in which he wandered away from his father wanting something better, finally going back after running out of money and friends. To his great surprise he is welcomed back with open arms, he is found by his father.
Earlier this month an Alpha guest spoke about how her life has been transformed since being found by God last year on Alpha and grown in confidence as she has known God’s peace in her heart, and the lady next to her immediately talked about how she would love to know that as well.
As well as people who are found by God for the first time, I love to hear about people going deeper with God getting to know him more and to live life with him, seeking perhaps to live according to a prayer like this one:
O most merciful redeemer,
friend and brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
for your own sake.
friend and brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
for your own sake.
- St. Richard of Chichester, adapted
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