It is safe to say that at one time or another, humans have felt like God was not present — not present in their state of struggle and suffering, not present in their accomplishments, and not present in the injustices seen around the globe. So if we don't feel God, He must not be there. That is the easy road to take and will leave you feeling empty and void of truth. However, God is always there; sometimes He is just present in ways that we cannot understand in our humanity.

All humans feel like they are distant from God at one point or another. Some situations that bring this about include, searching and not having answers revealed, suffering, or lack of strength in the will to entrust oneself to Him. Did I say every human has this problem? To make it clear, every human who ever was, is and will walk the surface of the earth will come upon this in some degree; even Jesus.

When at on the cross Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). In his deepest valley as a human, Jesus felt abandoned. Differing from us, he did what humans in their very nature can't: he followed through with his submission to God, the Father. It is crazy to know that Jesus shares in every aspect of humanity with us, even the feeling of divine abandonment.

This concludes that background to which I have themed this poem. I created this poem out of outcry and frustration. Being in college, I have gained a lot of perspective on the occurrences in the wider world, both good and bad. Without blinders, I am able to to see the joys of life more often, but also the sorrows.

When looking at my local community and the global world, I have seen a lot of pain and still do. My reaction to observations, such as these, is to act. My heart longs for heavenly blessings to make their presence known — to have answers to give to those who are hurting, to know how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in an effective way. Quite frankly, a lot of my frustration is in not knowing what to do, and why such things are happening, but feeling so small and powerless in making a difference.

This poem is rooted in my pondering of questions such as this: God I have felt your overwhelming goodness, but where is it in the places that need you most? Your plan gives hope, but right now all seems lacking in that area — how can this be part of your great plan?

So with that, I hope this poem helps you wrestle with your series of questions centered around, "God where you at?"

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God where are you?

When you are needed the most?
Where are you when the going turns from bad to worse?

When the hope for victory hurts just as much.

Please hear the cries of the world, as the innocent are suppressed, and justice is not met.

God where are you?
In the common folk, in the trees, in the air?

Creation’s kiss, allows your mark to be seen, but still why do you still seem to flee?

To distance yourself, when the searching has begun, and the paths become unclear.

Feeling your absence when hearts only need love, and love they only need to hear!

Where are you when all good has seemed to disappear?

When the bad overwhelms in individuals and countries alike,

Causing division that only ends in tears and fright!

Please cradle such hurting and wandering souls, allowing comfort to be found, and your ultimate peace to be given.

God where are you?

Why do you feel stagnant, so far away?
Abundance found only in the lack of response.

To the cries silent and aloud that are exclaimed with belief.

Kneeling at night lost for words, and what should be done next.

Humans are marked by time, yet you are not.

If your timing is best, then why sometimes,

Does it feel oh-so distraught?

Ugly, less than, worthless all of that,

Ultimately unfair in our eyes, as our most pondered questions are left unanswered not even with a compromise.

Please gift patience and listening to this hurting world who desperately still and has always needed you!

God where are you?
I fear that this is asked too often, yet such quote never seems to disappear.

We doubt you, we fail, and we fall off of the trail.

Hearing that you will carry us when our own strength gives up, gives us hope,

but when the going gets tough, sometimes it’s harder to believe.

Our eyes are right here claiming that reality is only what can be seen.

So, please God grant us a greater understanding so that our hope can be rekindled

And where we are, can always be found in you!

After writing this poem, pondering its meaning, I still feel a lot of the same things. I still feel small and not very powerful in the issues that our world is facing. I still question why bad things happen to good people. I am still my broken myself!

Upon reflection, my knowledge of where God is at, has changed, but the fact that He is love has not! From the unfailinglove that I have felt from God and have seen working in the world, I can rest in the fact that "[I am] loved more that [I] will ever know, by someone who died to know [me] " (Romans 5:8)!

I don't have the answer to where God is at, but I do know that He loves you for youI He created you, so at least explore who He is by stumbling with the big questions of searching in your life.

Be bold and explore where God is at in your life!