In the rush of fast-moving days, it happens that even people who are very devoted to the Church can lose their connection with Christ. Church services, the sacraments and prayer can sometimes pall on both laity and clergy, because, as we know, people are receptive to everything new, being fickle in heart to what has long been familiar.
Of course, in no case can we say this about everyone: there are people akin to the Apostle Peter, distinguished by an ardent disposition and a burning heart. Even having doubted something and cooled down to righteous deeds, they, by virtue of their character, quickly embark again on the right path, zealously searching for God in their souls, and feel out of place until they have found Him.
The longing to feel the thrill of awe for and fear of the Heavenly Father over and over again, which has been accompanying us since the days in Paradise, when Adam was absolutely open and pure before God, is incomprehensible to many and seems to be a kind of “drudgery” to them. This was also the case in the time of Jesus, Who warns us in the Gospel: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (Jn. 15:19). The desire for unity with the Almighty is natural and easy for man; as, for example, a child’s desire to feel the tenderness of his mother, with who, especially in infancy, he feels and thinks to be one whole, and after learning to crawl, stand on his feet and walk, he discovers that he is a separate person. Surprisingly, if we consider these relations as an example, the degree of our need for God and our separation from Him on account of our sins becomes clear.
Jan Brueghel the Younger. Adam and Eve in Paradise. The seventeenth century Perhaps all Orthodox have noticed how in a pious life, when we still perceive the origin of our desires and thoughts, cut off evil thoughts and try to live righteously, what we ask for is revealed so noticeably, there are fewer sorrows, they are easier to bear, and we interpret them as future crowns, and “the light does not go out in the dark tunnel”. We want to be thankful for no particular reason, we often involuntarily remember God in everyday things, even in public places, we are not ashamed of talking about our faith, thereby feeling our being guided by the will of God. This is exactly how Adam felt before the fall, because the purity of his heart and his voluntary longing for goodness made him impregnable against darkness and all that is alien to the Creator Himself.
Being in conscious spiritual and physical isolation from God, it is increasingly difficult to stand up to pray, see the right path and act as a Christian. The denial of God, the struggle with Him, undoubtedly, noticeably divide people already during their lifetime, because the Lord does not tolerate violence and, having come into the world, gave people free will, which so clearly demonstrates His all-encompassing love for us. As we know, even at the Last Judgment it is not the Almighty Who will judge us, but our own deeds will.
Reliable knowledge about the existence of God in the modern world can be given by people who have unceasing communion with Him. Not only can they describe His presence in words, but also answer the question: how does God work in their lives, how can one notice His hand in solving numerous problems, in suffering, trials and tribulations? After all, so many books have been written, so famous are the miracles of God, which have been revealed to the world and still continue through faith in Him!
“For example, I do not believe that God exists—I know that He exists, because for several decades I have been in daily communion with Him. If I move away from God, stop turning to Him and stop thanking Him, then after a while it may seem to me that He really does not exist. Because God is very tactful, and He doesn’t even seem to exist for a huge number of people who refuse to believe in His existence. If we have no contact with God and hide like Adam in the Garden of Eden, then for us He does not exist at all. The main proof of God’s existence is our continuous communion with Him. Because, believe me, if you enter into this contact, if you are seriously immersed in it, you will have the greatest Companion for conversation. And you will see the existence of God clearly, miraculously and obviously, daily and permanently,” says Archpriest George Roshchin from Moscow with conviction.
The words of Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Simferopol and the Crimea about life with Christ and His Providence in the TV show “Faces of the Church” echo this topic: “When a moment of despondency, despair or sadness comes, remember how many times the Lord has shown His love, mercy and Providence in your life. As you ask such questions about meanings, about higher meanings, the Lord will gradually guide you to knowing Him: Seek ye God, and your soul shall live (Ps. 68:33).”
“Once I had visited the monastery,” Metropolitan Tikhon says of his first visit to the Pskov-Caves Monastery, “I saw this amazing world, I saw those who had a great, beautiful, incomparable reflection of God, a reflection of the higher Heavenly realm. And then there were a whole host of such father-confessors—'elders’, As we call them—Father John (Krestiankin), Father Seraphim and many others. Of course, this made a special impression on my soul. And it was completely natural: I just stayed there—that’s all.
“The process of getting to know the will of God is a lifelong task. Sometimes we need consolation, and to comfort is to give strength. That’s what Father John was just perfect at. He was always an amazingly joyful, spiritually joyful man. A calm and peaceful toiler who made every effort to ensure that those who came to him received the maximum spiritual and prayerful benefit and advice. He labored, really labored, despite his age: at seventy, at eighty, at ninety, and at ninety-five—can you imagine that? And he remained surprisingly young. When he turned ninety and we were modestly celebrating his birthday in his cell over tea, he took me aside and said: ‘You know, I’m ninety, but I feel like I’m twenty-two!’
“And it was really so—his soul was absolutely young. The Spirit creates forms for Himself. Fr. John’s attitude to people, his attitude to God, his faith, his enthusiasm, faith in God’s Providence—everything was absolutely wonderful; it was not forced, but a sincere and living example that gave us strength to live. There was the most important thing, and it should not be missed—community, unity, peace, and happiness from this. The Lord says, I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6).
“A person left to his passions becomes stubborn, hard, and cruel, and bringing him to the Heavenly Kingdom is, of course, the art of all arts. When he does not want it himself, he does not understand his own good, God will not force or break him: the Lord will not give it; the Lord Himself will not give it! Because it is not in God’s nature to violate human freedom,” Vladyka Tikhon says confidently.
If we think seriously about it, then indeed, how can God impose something, especially Himself, breaking the attitudes of someone He loves? After all, love is always about freedom—it does not go with force. And how can you help a person gain experience and acquire wisdom if you do everything for him without his labors and efforts? We know that wisdom comes from experience, and experience is gained from mistakes. By doing them a person learns and improves: you should never despair, and even after the most serious falls, whether in a monastery or in the world, you must stand up firmly, trusting in Providence, love and mercy of God for everyone.
Loving and trusting, the Lord does not want to see us led and deprived of choice, which means that He does not regard us as slaves, but, on the contrary, as equal to Himself (in His image and likeness) since the creation of the world: And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them (Gen. 1:26-27). The Psalter of King David describes our essence very precisely: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High (Ps. 81:6).
In his sermons Fr. John (Krestiankin) often said very important words, a kind of rule that does not allow you to lose God: “Return to Christ,” that is, repent and follow Him again. According to Vladyka Tikhon’s reminiscences, there was much joy in the elder’s life: in childhood, in his priestly ministry, and in the monastery. But his happiest years were spent in prison, because there God was closer than ever…
