Having trouble connecting to God?

Ever feel like there is something getting in the way of your connection with God? Praying feels just one-sided?

Sometimes, it’s because we have let something get between us and God that causes too much interference. Much like cell phone reception, things can interfere with our connection to God. Is it something in our heart or mind that we give precedence? These distractions can get in the way, but also give us an opportunity to turn back towards God, something that greatly pleases God.

Other times, our connection with God may be due to us distancing ourselves from God. If you run away from all cell towers, how will your cell phone have any reception? Much in the same way, we need to keep from distancing ourselves from God. Is it because of something that God has done or one of his teachings? Rather than distancing ourselves from God, we can come closer and ask Him “Why?”. If He loves us like He says and displayed on the cross, there must be a reason.

Then there are those who never try to connect with God. I am reminded of a story. ‘A man prayed and prayed to win the lottery. He never one and asked God why. God pleaded with the man to buy a lottery ticket.’ To connect with God, we have an obligation to cooperate in the connection. God is talking, but are we listening. Are we actively trying to connect with God? Like not turning on our cell phone, never listening in prayer keeps us from connecting with God.

Then there are saintly connection problems. I remember hearing that Mother Theresa felt a spiritual dryness in prayer. She did not sense the connection. Was it there? Indeed it was. God allowed her to experience this connection trouble for a reason, though. As I heard it said, it was like God was asking her, “would you love me even if there is nothing in it for you.” We are to love like that.

I think of Jesus going through His Passion. His Passion was an expression of love to us. He loved even those who would turn away from Him. The unrepentant sinner that He suffered for rejected His love, but that did not stop Jesus from loving Him. It robbed Him of the connection that He sought with Him. In that case, there was nothing in it for Him. Is that not how we are to love?