February 18: Not Far From Any of Us

You’ve heard people say “God as you understand Him.” You’re not sure you understand Him at all.

Paul was in Athens, a city full of philosophers and statues to every god imaginable. There was even an altar labeled “to an unknown god.” The Athenians were spiritual, curious and confused. Paul didn’t mock them. He started where they were.

He told them God made people so they would seek Him, and perhaps reach out and find Him. Then he added: He is not far from each one of us. In Him we live and move and have our being.

Not far. Even from people who didn’t know His name.

Many people come to Step Two feeling like those Athenians. They have some sense that there’s something more. They’re open to it. But their picture of God is fuzzy, or mixed up with bad experiences, or borrowed from someone else.

Recovery has always made room for that. People are encouraged to begin with whatever understanding of God they have, even a very small one, and let it grow. That’s not watering down the truth. It’s how seeking works. You start where you are, and you keep reaching.

As a Christian, this reading points you toward the God revealed in Jesus. He’s not a vague force. He’s a person who came close, who walked dusty roads and ate with sinners. But you don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin. Paul invited the Athenians to seek. That was the first step.

Here’s the good news in Paul’s words. The seeking isn’t one-sided. God isn’t hiding. He’s close, closer than your next breath. When you reach out, you’ll find that He was already reaching toward you.

So reach. Ask questions. Read the Gospels and see what Jesus is like. Talk to people whose faith you respect. Pray honest, uncertain prayers. Seekers find.

One thing today

Write down three questions you have about God. Bring one of them to a pastor, a sponsor or a trusted friend this week.

A prayer

God, I don’t fully understand You. But I’m reaching. Thank You that You’re not far from me. Help me find You, and show me who You really are.

Seeking is part of Step Two.

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