Reaching Out and Finding
Acts 17:27 · Fresh Start: When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn
“God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us.” — Acts 17:27 (CEB)
“Perhaps even reach out to him and find him.” Paul uses tentative language here — perhaps, reach out, find. The search for God isn’t a guaranteed straight line. It’s more like reaching in the dark, hoping your hand lands on something solid. And Paul says it does. God isn’t far away from any of us. Not from the person who has been searching for decades and still isn’t sure. Not from the person who stopped searching years ago because the disappointment was too heavy. Not from the graduating senior about to leave everything familiar behind. The promise isn’t that the search will be easy or that doubt won’t show up. The promise is that the God you’re reaching for is reaching back — and the distance between you is shorter than you think. Every honest question, every moment of wonder, every ache for meaning is your hand reaching out. And God is close enough to grab it.
God who is never far away, give courage to everyone still reaching. Christ, you came close so we wouldn’t have to search alone. Holy Spirit, shorten the distance between our doubt and your presence. Amen.