Still Not There Yet

Mar. 18, 2026

We’ve got dust on our Bibles and brand-new iPhones.

No wonder why we feel this way.

Josiah Queen

Last week I wrote about a specific model presented in the Bible that was offered to alleviate suffering in a nation. I wrote about it because, I think we can all agree, that Americans and people around the world are suffering. I have learned that the Bible outlines many models and processes we can adopt that will get us through challenging times. Yet some people miss these, overlook them, dismiss them, or perhaps refuse to listen to what the sacred text says. Some are content to never be in relationship with the Creator. However, a subset of that group will eventually call out to God in a desperate time. Until then, they have difficulty with the conditions of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that I set out last week.

“…if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I’ll revisit the four parts of last week’s post to check in and see if we are collectively tired of living in the upheaval that consumes us. A point of clarification if you didn’t read last week’s post: I refer to the limitless God in third person plural, They/Them/Their(s).

…My People, Who Are Called By My Name. Something I find interesting is how we can compartmentalize God. It’s fine to consider some of God’s words or teachings in one part of our lives but not allow Them or Their teachings into other parts of our lives. If God is omniscient and omnipotent and meeting our needs in certain spaces, why try to block Them from helping navigate other areas of our lives? That same Creator is also omnipresent. They are already there anyway. Just waiting on us to include Them. The invitation is always there to release the self-focused existence and enjoy the divine interconnection.

In conversations with a few people about their resistance to getting to know the Lord, or having a fuller, deeper relationship, some repetitive themes come up. One narrative is having felt devalued as an individual because some conflict-ridden person declared a scourge on their lives based on the latter’s interpretation of a Bible passage. That experience shut the door for a relationship with God. If that offensive act happened in church, or was carried out by a church official, the hurt was even deeper. For those reckless moments, I offer this: be careful not to get caught up in what he/she said or did that interferes with your relationship with the Creator.

Even if you haven’t read the Bible, most people know about the deceiving serpent in the Garden of Eden. It intentionally drove a wedge between Eve, and subsequently Adam, and the Lord. Its plan was simple. With just a few words it created doubt in Eve’s thought processes. Just a few words and the deed was done.

People with bitter, divisive hearts will look for sound bites to support their personal creeds and crusades. Everyone who has been hurt by offensive attacks should, by all means, tend to the wounds and the residue. But if you haven’t seen the offenders for years and still have that wall up separating you from the Creator, perhaps give some thought to how much you are playing into the broader plan of deception to keep you away from God.

Another group of people have ‘if-then’ narratives that keep them separated from God. “If God is real, then why …” Fill in the blank. Questions seek answers. If you’re looking for answers, pick up an easy to read translation of a study Bible. Study the whole Bible and learn Jesus’ lessons. Be careful of getting hung up on the philosophy of this or that person or group. Admittedly, you may still walk away with some questions still hanging. But in the study you’ll learn deeper truths about living with God. Stick with it and see the difference in navigating the roller coaster of life.

…Humble Themselves. I have a Daily Walk Bible that is designed to guide readers through the entire Bible in one year. I’ve been reading it since 2014. Every year my eyes land on something that feels like it is brand new to me. There are so many nuggets of wisdom, and so many lessons to guide us through life. We don’t know all the answers and we never will. That is sobering.

Take the example of Jōb’s humbling experience in scripture. After an extended period of inexplicable suffering, Jōb had lots of questions about the reason for his personal plague. Everyone knew Jōb to be a good man. This was one of those “Why do bad things happen to good people” scenarios. It’s also an “if-then” query. In a one-on-one conversation, God never answered any of the questions, but quickly quizzed Jōb on matters only the Creator of a universe would know. After more than 70 questions Jōb was reminded that there are some things a human would never understand. In the grand scheme of things we are infinitesimal specks in the universe. I will add that after that conversation and prayers offered up for his friends, Jōb received great blessings over the years.

We all have to figure out how to navigate our life journeys, the day-to-day, the roller coaster ride of highs and depressing lows. The rise to our high points can sometimes be so painfully slow. And those drops, those falls can snatch breath from our lungs. We all experience these moments. We should reach a level of consciousness to know how the divine hand has opened doors on our ascent and kept us sane when we could have lost our minds during our falls.

The last two conditions I’ll speak to professional settings because there is no space that doesn’t need a divine hand.

…Pray And Seek My Face. Having interviewed leaders who have relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit during difficult times, I can report that there are already people who bring God into their professional lives. They are not proselytizing. This group of people look to the Lord when they cannot resolve their problems. These leaders have been humbled by their inability to control topsy turvy, upside down whirlwind rides of trying to hold things together when everything is shifting. They are already clear about the necessity of having a close relationship with the Lord. Not one that is transactional and for convenience. They rest in an awareness of the help that comes when they surrender their egos. They actively talk to – remember, this is prayer – and seek to be close to the Creator. And after relinquishing their egos these same leaders have experienced success they could not have imagined.

…And Turn From Your Wicked Ways Do I really need to tease anything out here? Think of all the ways the workplace is not life affirming for staff or management.

Still not there yet? If you are not clear on how, where or why we need to incorporate our interconnection to the divine in our workplaces and daily lives I hope that I have at least prepared the soil and planted a seed.