“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
It is so easy to remain blind to our actions and all of the ways they don’t always match up to our words, especially when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. We skirt by on minimal involvement, putting our efforts and attentions into those things that we treasure…the things and people we believe we cannot live without. We often refuse to accept that we can live peacefully and joyfully in this life without everything and everyone except God. We keep our focus on the idols in our life, all the while allowing our connection to the Holy Spirit to fall by the wayside.
In an exchange with a friend of mine, I referred to myself as a “floater” in this life. She asked for clarification on the meaning of that designation, so I sought out a definition online. This is what I found in the Urban Dictionary:
“Floater: A floater is an individual who cannot pin-point what group they belong to. They walk down the halls and get nods or smiles from anyone in any group. They are normally polite and friendly but shy. A floater generally becomes a floater because of failed friendships not through fights but through “drifting” apart. Hence, the name floater. They don’t like sharing their personal business so it is very rare a person will get inside and actually stick around. Floaters are known to be kind of sketchy because of this. But as previously noted, they are generally polite, friendly and due to the enormous amounts of nods, waves and gestures they get in a day, they usually have a great smile.” (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=floaters)
The term came to me out of nowhere, but the definition above is pretty accurate to my intended sentiment. I’ve spent my entire life living across the country from half the people that I love. It’s always felt as if I’ve had to choose between this person I love or that person I love.
The benefit of physical distance, however, is that it takes the sting out of personal and emotional distance. Living life as a “floater” has been a reliable defense mechanism against heartache. The reality is that floaters continue floating because it’s easier to tolerate leaving than being left.
When life gets hard, it’s instinctual for us to hide and pull away from those we love. Just as Adam and Eve hid from the Father when they’d eaten from the forbidden tree, we easily find ourselves hiding from Him when we know some part of our life isn’t in line with what He would want for us.
My connection to God has drifted over the last several weeks, and you can be sure I’m feeling that sting all over my soul. I’m working very hard to make different choices and not let the worldly struggles get the better of me.
Satan knows how to lay into my spirit to great effect, fooling me into believing my worldly circumstances have power over my peace. He only has that kind of impact on me when I forget that my treasure can’t be found in the world. Not in things, in people, in a job, or anything else this world has to offer. My treasure is found in the fruits of my faith.
It’s time to get back to that perspective full-time, which means letting go of the great “I” and fully embracing the great “I Am.”
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV
Love the Hand of God 