Heirs of His Absence

God has been missing for a long time. At least, it seems that way, and I get the struggle. Where is he when the world hurts and people are suffering? Unbearably so, and from generation to generation. Did he set the earth spinning before vanishing? Was he even there to begin with?

Sometimes, faith comes the long way; it isn’t always quick and sudden and, it doesn’t always hinge on a single revelation. We aren’t the first to ask where God is or question his existence. We are, as the title says, heirs of his absence. We inherit big questions from those who have gone before. Thankfully, there is a rich thought-history, documented by many who wrestled with the same doubts in years past, that can help us find our way to God.

If you’re asking questions too, then that shows great faith; don’t feel bad. If you had given up on the idea of God, then you wouldn’t be wondering where he was. A suffering, pain-filled world is easy to explain away if God is missing. Yet, if you continue to ask, you might be given the answer you desire. Ask. Seek. Knock. The door will open (Matthew 7:7). Those who have gone before did receive answers.

I’ve learned a lesson from them: If we can trust Jesus’ words, then He left us with some clues and said, ‘Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me’ (Matthew 25:40). If we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoner, we do these unto Jesus. Might he still be with us through them?

I think I’ve caught a glimpse of him among those who suffer, and I believe, but it isn’t straightforward. There are moments when He feels so close: short, sharp bursts of His presence—a heavy mantle, much greater than an empty shroud. So, I carry on believing because in the real times, the near times and the good times, He is so wonderful, inexplicably so.

I, like many others, have looked for God in lofty ideas, apologetic arguments and in the words of the erudite. He can be found in those places, but have you also tried looking for him among the poor and sidelined? You might be surprised who is waiting to greet you there. And, if we can believe the words of countless faithful Christians who also sought Him, then they met Him there, too. We are heirs of His absence, yet we can inherit His presence, too. The pursuit is worth it.

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I run a Christian Charity that helps vulnerable women in Nepal, and God frequently turns up in their lives. You can read about them and Him in my book ‘Come with Me to Kathmandu’.

You might also want to read Absent Father, an earlier post of mine.

The phrase ‘Heir of his absence’ is taken from The Mystery of Godliness by W. Ian Thomas, which is Christianity written for engineers. If you have a geek in your life who would benefit from diagrams that explain faith, buy this book for them.

Otherwise, try The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen.

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