Have you ever left God?  Intentionally or unintentionally?  Now God is everywhere, so we cannot lose Him. But, we can walk away from Him.

This is what Mary and Joseph did. The family had gone to Jerusalem to honor God during one of their most special celebrations, the Feast of Passover. They were celebrating God’s deliverance of their nation from slavery to the nation of Egypt.  It was the highlight of their year; recognizing God’s power and special care of His people, the Jews.

Then it was time to go home. At least Mary and Joseph thought it was time to go, and they left for home. But that was not God’s plan. Jesus (God in the flesh) stayed behind to talk to the religious leaders. He had a different agenda.

When we go through our days, do we leave God behind? Are we doing life automatically without seeking God and His direction? Do we suddenly realize we have left God; that we are not close to Him or that we are in a place that He does not want for us?

What should we do? Mary and Joseph first looked for Jesus among their family and friends. Don’t we do that, thinking we will find our fulfillment in, and perhaps direction from family and friends?

Then Mary and Joseph went back to the place they had last been with Jesus – a place of honoring God.

When we find we have left God, unintentionally or intentionally, and we finally realize it, God invites us to return to Him. In Jeremiah 29:12-13, God says, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Make your way back to the place you were last close to God. Ask God for forgiveness at having left Him. Re-do the things that originally got you close to God. Keep doing them, and soon you will find yourself back in His presence.

Let’s intentionally seek God and His direction for our life each day. Let’s stay close to His loving, caring, presence.

Praying for a close walk with God.

Lisa Veach