Escaping from God
The Main Idea
The lecture revolves around the phenomenon of escaping from God, whether it is a complete escape by distancing from spiritual life, or a heart-felt escape while keeping the external form of religiosity. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that God does not want formalities, but a true relationship based on love and continuous closeness.
Forms of Escaping from God
Escape may be by leaving prayer, the Church, spiritual meetings, and confession, or it may be an internal escape where the body is present but the heart is absent. A person may pray with his words, but his mind is distracted and his heart is far away, thus living the image of religiosity without its depth.
Reasons for Escape
Escape is due to fear of God, ignorance of Him, lack of love, or attachment to a beloved sin or controlling habit. Some also think that God’s commandments are difficult, so they withdraw instead of striving with the help of divine grace.
The Right Path: Step by Step
God does not ask from a person what exceeds his ability, but wants him to begin even with a small step. Spiritual life is built gradually, and every small struggle is met by God with help and grace. What matters is that a person does not stop or flee, but continues walking.
The Role of Thought and Being Occupied with God
The mind never stops working; if it is not occupied with God, it will be occupied with what harms. Therefore, a person should fill his mind with spiritual contemplations and make God the محور of his daily thinking, so that a living and deep relationship with Him may be formed.
The Value of Time with God
The time that a person spends with God is not a giving to God, but a gift from God to the person. In prayer, a person receives blessing and grace, grows spiritually, and feels ashamed to return to sin after tasting the sweetness of fellowship with God.
Preparation for Eternity
If a person does not have a relationship with God now, how will he live with Him in eternity? Eternal life is an extension of the relationship that begins here. Whoever tastes the love of God now longs to be with Him forever.
The Spiritual Message
Do not escape from God مهما were the difficulties or tribulations. Draw near to Him, begin even with a small beginning, and trust that everything is possible for the believer with God’s help. Life with God is joy, strength, and blessing, and it is the true path to inner peace and eternal salvation.
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