When is God near and when is He far away?

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God." - Luke 18:14a

By God's grace and provision, I moved into a new state with a job I love. My initial impression of the new place was great - this little southern town in the "Bible belt" seems to be one of the few places left in the US where public prayers are not only allowed but encouraged. I was very shocked during the first school meeting/seminar because we actually open and close in prayers! However, I gradually found out about the flip side of the coin - when everyone claims to be saved, it's hard to tell when is God near, and when is He far away? Earlier this week, two storied happened right in front of my eyes, and they again made me ponder the same question.


The first story: As we were celebrating the Chinese New Year at a nearby Chinese church, a student came onto the stage to give his testimony: "I have been coming to this church for 3 years, but I'm still not a Christian. However, I agreed to play 'Amazing Grace' on the piano for this special gathering.Yesterday, there was a big explosion in our chemistry lab, and many of us were sent to the hospital immediately. I was the first one to be released, after spending a night at the hospital. The doctors told me that with the distance I was from the explosion, I could have easily lost my hands forever. Yet God remembered that I was going to play 'Amazing Grace' for Him and his beloved ones tonight, and He saved my hands - not because I'm a Christian or I prayed, but because He is so gracious." This student wasn't able to play the piano that night, but his story nevertheless sings "Amazing Grace" to everyone there.

The second story: I was talking with a young student who believes that there's only black and white in this world, and there shouldn't be any grey area. At some point of the conversation, he said, "I only need justice; I don't need mercy or grace. If one day I did something wrong, I'll gladly ask for a just sentence." It makes my heart sad - how dare any of us ask for justice along without mercy and grace? I can't even imagine what both of us would be doing at that point if there was no mercy, no grace - surely we wouldn't be chatting.

There is a famous love poem called "The Furthest Distance in the World". It started with:

The furthest distance in the world
Is not the distance between life and death
But you don't know I love you when I stand in front of you

Although it went on with several more parallel paragraphs going "deeper and deeper" (according to the reviews), I actually like this first paragraph most - the furthest (and saddest) distance in the world, is when some people, made by God to worship God, don't comprehend or appreciate how much God loves us, and rejects Him / deny His presence even when He is standing right in front of us.