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I Don’t Like Being in a Long Distance Relationship

The title speaks for itself. From my experience, the times that Carla and I were separated have been very tough. I find myself getting irritated that we can’t be together and that makes us even fight and argue. Miscommunication and even mistrust seem to pop up easier.

All of the internet connectivity – Skype, Whatsapp, Voxer, Twitter, Facebook, Line, YM – can’t compare with hugging her, holding her hand, having her lean her head on my shoulder or falling asleep beside her.

I am amazed by couples who can make it work, and respect them for it. But not in a way that I want to emulate. It just seems too painful for us.

This Chart of Respectability may be helpful. As we can see, long distance relationships are in the middle of the second column.

There’s another relationship I’m in that’s similar to a long distance one. The problem with this one is, because it’s always been like this, I’ve gotten used to it. And I often forget that one day it won’t be this way. This is my relationship with God.

Yeah, there’s church where I can hear messages from the Bible and relate with other believers. Yes, there are worship songs that make me feel closer to Him. Sometimes in prayer, I have moments that can only be described as otherworldly. But that’s just like Skyping for now. It’s better than nothing, but it’s nothing compared to what is to come.

The Bible promises that one day, those who believe in Jesus will have a relationship with God that is beyond religion and spiritual practices. It will be more tangible. I don’t know if it will be physical. Can I hug Him? Can I jump on His back? Will it be too bright? Can we eat together? But it will definitely be more real than anything else we’ve ever experienced.

Revelation 21:3-4 says,

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

God will live with us. We’ll finally be able to perceive Him as He really is, and not by representation. He’ll wipe every tear from our eyes, and all the injuries, suffering, trials, trouble, heartache, sickness, tragedy, and disasters will not compare with it.

We’ll look at those memories and feel no pain or sorrow in them, that’s how great the joy will be. That’s difficult for me to get my mind around, because there are a lot of problems that I see right now. But that’s only because I’m still not at that point with God.

That’s what faith is about. Knowing that it looks bleak today, but it won’t always be like this. So I’m thankful for my Bible for reminding me of what’s to come. I’m thankful for my church and the relationships with people waiting for that day. Let’s be excited to share this with people so they can believe it and see that day too.

 
Dear Lord,
Thank you for revealing yourself now. Thank you for the signs in nature, the truth in Scripture, and most importantly, in the person of Jesus.
I know that there is so much that already points to you and I appreciate the many ways You speak to me.
But thank you also that this is just the beginning. I look forward to what’s ahead.
Please give me the ability to live in the present with an eye toward eternity.
When times are good, please help me remember that as good as it is, this isn’t the biggest prize.
When times are tough, please help me draw strength from that fact that this is only temporary.
I can’t wait to be with you. So I’ll wait in faith till that day.
Amen
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8 comments
  • nice blog. very inspiring! i’m in a long distance relationship with God too. i’m searching for Him. i’m longing for His presence. i wanna honor Him everyday and i want to trust Him with all my heart but sometimes fear is telling me not to. i can’t wait to be with him too where there is no pain just pure joy and happiness 🙂 keep the word spread! HGMD

  • This is such a good reminder for me everyday: “When times are good, please help me remember that as good as it is, this isn’t the biggest prize.
    When times are tough, please help me draw strength from that fact that this is only temporary.”

    As for the chart… I did fight my way up the food chain just to be a vegan!

    I will definitely try Unicycling, that’s if I find one.

  • thank you for comparing long distance relationship to Jesus’ return. 🙂 Yes, long distance doesn’t always work, but I know when it comes to Christ, searching for him does.

  • When we sift through the rubble of a broken
    relationship, we’re moved to take stock of what happened.
    You have to be able to transcend the loneliness caused by the distance and the paranioa caused by knowing he’s so far away.
    Not having that trust will cause anxiety and the relationship will
    most likely fall apart.

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