I can't find Jesus!!!

[kisstheson]

recently I have run into a few people who are doubting Christ and thinking about leaving the faith. what a desperate search to find Jesus!

I would say...look to the crucifixion. look to Christ hanging on the cross, slowly suffocating, trying to catch a single breath, pulling himself by the spikes through his hands, his muscels trembling, legs cramping, the thorns on his head shooting fire into his brain, his bodily fluids begin to run down his legs as his eyes look in wide astonishment, he cannot find his Father’s face.

but He never lost sight of you,
never lost the love in his heart
never prayed that the nails be removed
never desired that his tortured flesh be comforted
a moment too soon
a moment before the allotted time
a moment before he knew you were his
and he took that spear in his side
driven into his heart
and you were born in the
blood and water that flowed down his side.

He saved you.

Go ahead...even though you are not certain, even though you are not sure he’s there, even though you reach into the darkness blindly, even though you are in the dark night of the soul, one thing is true. Jesus died for you. Jesus was crucified for you. THAT’S A HISTORICAL FACT and THAT’S the REAL JESUS!

Take ahold of Jesus with you unfeeling heart.
Take him into your unfeeling arms
Take him without sensing his presence
Take...and kiss his broken heart
He is yours in the darkness
Your brother in your suffering

’That I may KNOW Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings."

This is JESUS. He has not forsaken you. you are knowing HIM in a different way.

 

[WarriorAngel]

I am more thankful than words can convey - but not nearly thankful enough...





Sidenote - the title reminded me of a joke i heard a while back...so i wondered.

 

[kisstheson]

You and I both.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

kisstheson;

recently I have run into a few people who are doubting Christ and thinking about leaving the faith. what a desperate search to find Jesus!

I have found this common among young new converts.

When they first convert they're all full of zeal. However, there's a few catch phrases they use, that raises a flag for me.

Things like, "you should'a seen my parents faces when I told them I was becoming a Catholic." "My friends think I'm crazy, because I'm becoming Catholic."

After they convert, the novelty wears out, and their friends and family no long find it so shocking, then they're left with reality. They didn't have Jesus in their lives to begin with.

My advice, turn to Christ, the source of faith and ask for it. Be willing to surrender yourself to him entirely. All you need do is turn within, as Jesus dwells within you. Be with Him in the depth of your being, and ask Him for faith.

Jim

 

[MethoDiKaL]

^agreed. i have recently fell into this pit. and am slowly crawling back out of it. this thread is definitely inspirational. thanks a lot.

 

[Peaceful Dove]

I am on the road of becoming an old woman...not got there yet. LOL

Finding Jesus is not as hard as you think.
Count your blessings....yes, your blessings and you will see Jesus.
Look into the face of a newborn, there is Jesus.
Enter into Hospice, there is Jesus.
Read the Gospels, there is Jesus.
Go to a homeless Mission, there is Jesus.
Go to a Prison, There is Jesus.
See the Hungry, There is Jesus.
See the Naked, There is Jesus.
Walk out into the meadows, see the birds the flowers, There is Jesus.
Sing Praise and Worshiip, there Jesus is in the midst of you.
Let 2 of you gather in his name, There is Jesus.
Read the Gospels, There is Jesus.
Most of all, walk into the Holy Sacraments, There is Jesus.

I could go on and on but I will leave you with this.
Develope a horrible desease like I did, Lung Cancer, put the Lord in control, THERE IS JESUS.

Jesus said, whenever you see the least of my Brothers/Sisters, there you see me (paraphrased)

He is always there. If he isn't, it is not He that is not in the right place, it is you.

 

[Tigg]

Wow!! TY all for your great posts!!

 

[bunnydrop]

They are maybe to eager,they are looking in the wrong places.I too fell into that trap before.I was just being selfish thats all.I sorted it out.If they really want to find Jesus as they say,they will not give up,they should try a new angle.I FOUND MY WAY AN FAITH IN Jesus, luclkily before i decided to want to be catholic.this helped,becomng a catholic,is just inhancing Gods embrace an making my faith stronger.

 

[Antigone]

Sidenote - the title reminded me of a joke i heard a while back...so i wondered.

Jokes of the have-you-tried-the-cupboard-yet-variety?

 

[kisstheson]

Thanks guys! I appreciate your insight.

I know and have found Jesus. This was just to encourage those who are having doubts. we have all been there.

 

[Memento Mori]

Most of the time I feel like He is really close and His love for me is personal. Other times I feel like He is so far away I might as well be praying to the wall.

But it all goes back to whether or not I'm looking for Him, because sometimes I'm really not. Sometimes I'm just going through the motions and wanting to be holy for its own sake or for the sake of my pride, not wanting to feel His love and feel love for Him. Sometimes I deliberately walk away from Him to sin because I know He'll forgive me when I come back.

It's in those times that I have to wonder what Jesus is getting out of our friendship. But I remember that through all His earthly life this is exactly what kind of friendship He knew. He was always faithful and good to others, but His friends let Him down, betrayed Him, even denied Him. He still has a lot of work to do on me, but we'll get there eventually.

Thanks for this, kisstheson.

 

[kisstheson]

you're welcome Hisagain! I appreciate your honesty.

I found this video for you.

YouTube - He Walked a Mile

 

[Memento Mori]

Thank you. That song was perfect for me, because Jesus' humanity--His walking in my shoes--is one of the things that draws me most to His Person. His awesome power is one thing, but it's the fact that He had taste buds and cried and got sore feet that make Him real and wonderful and relatable.

How God can be so humble as to put on the human form... wow, I've never really stopped to think about how profound that is.

 

[kisstheson]

me too! That's what I love the most about Jesus! Yup! It is pretty profound.

glad you liked the video.

 

[MyLordIsMyLife]

kisstheson;



I have found this common among young new converts.

When they first convert they're all full of zeal. However, there's a few catch phrases they use, that raises a flag for me.

Things like, "you should'a seen my parents faces when I told them I was becoming a Catholic." "My friends think I'm crazy, because I'm becoming Catholic."

After they convert, the novelty wears out, and their friends and family no long find it so shocking, then they're left with reality. They didn't have Jesus in their lives to begin with.

My advice, turn to Christ, the source of faith and ask for it. Be willing to surrender yourself to him entirely. All you need do is turn within, as Jesus dwells within you. Be with Him in the depth of your being, and ask Him for faith.

Jim

I hope that doesn't happen to me. I want to stay by my Lord forever. Lord Jesus, help all of us to stay close to You!!

 

[Rhamiel]

prayers for those who do not feel close to the Lord

 

[kisstheson]

I hope that doesn't happen to me. I want to stay by my Lord forever. Lord Jesus, help all of us to stay close to You!!

"nothing can snatch you out of My hand!" -the gospel of John

 

[MoNiCa4316]

great thread