When You Want to Feel Closer to God But You’re Not Sure How

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Knowing God, Listening to God, Living Fully 195 Comments

I received an email from one of my subscribers, and I felt she was echoing what I’ve felt so many times. She’s given me permission to share her struggle with you.

Here’s the crux of my problem. After I gave my life to Christ, I joined a church and began reading the Bible daily. Yet, I never experienced that overwhelming feeling of change that so many others experience. In my quiet times, when I seek to know Him better and wait quietly for answers, I do not get the nudges that others talk about.

I know that some people hit rock bottom and then experience a dramatic life change accompanied by an emotional high. I sometimes wonder if I will have to experience some great trial in order to have the wonderful feelings of a true relationship with Christ.

I try to start each day with quiet time, scripture reading and prayer. I try to have a God-focused day. Is something wrong with me? Do other women feel this emptiness too? Should I be feeling something more? What more should I be doing? I know Christ loves me, but something is missing and I don’t even know what it is. What should I do?

—Stephanie (Not her real name. Used by permission.)

Perhaps you see yourself in those words. Maybe you long to feel closer to God but sense there’s just something lacking, that you’ve missed the mysterious formula to make it happen. Perhaps like most women, you’ve tried desperately to balance the montage of mundane demands and somehow slip God into the white spaces that are few and far between.

I call this a “glory ache” —a persistent longing to experience God’s presence on a daily basis.

We long to spend time in the sacred with God but find the desire crowded out by the responsibilities of the secular—the daily demands—that lay claim to our attention. We yearn to experience God’s presence but feel far away from Him as we reach to click off the bedside lamp and collapse exhausted once again. Maybe tomorrow, we sigh.

The travesty is that we allow the busyness of life to crowd out the Source of life. As the Psalmist wrote, “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing” (Psalm 39:6).

And most of us are quick to think ‘something more’ means ‘doing more.’ We ramp it up and gun the engines—sign up for a new committee, volunteer for a new cause, bake one more casserole to feed the sick. We attempt to silence the hunger pains of the heart by feeding it the bread and water of duty. And at the end of the day, while we might feel a self-induced sense of well-being, the hollowness in our soul that can only be satisfied with God echoes with the grumblings of hunger still.

We long for a sense of closeness with God, but we have a hard time putting our finger on exactly what that closeness would look like. It’s just something more. Something different. And we are quite right. We are craving the closeness that comes with an intimate relationship with Jesus.

In Acts 17:28 Paul wrote: “For in him we live and move and have our being” (NIV). That means every moment all the time. He also wrote: “Pray continually” (I Thessalonians 5:17 NIV). That means every moment all the time. But how in the world do we do that with everything else we have to do?

Here’s the key. Erase the line that separates the sacred from the secular so that ALL of life becomes an act of worship. Paul also wrote: “Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB). That means:

Vacuuming to the glory of God

Reading my Bible to the glory of God.

Cooking dinner to the glory of God.

Shopping for groceries to the glory of God.

Singing praises to the glory of God.

All things…to the glory of God.

Closeness to God means including Him in every activity! It’s not an activity for your to-do-list to be checked off, but an attitude for you to-be-list to be wrapped in.

Closeness to God isn’t about what He wants from us, but what He wants for us…as us live and move and have our being in Him.

As we move into 2026, let’s erase the line that separates the secular mundane activities from the sacred majestic relationship with Jesus so that all of life becomes sweet communion with God.

Dear Lord, soothe my glory ache with Your presence. Help me stay in constant communion and union with You no matter what else I have going on today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you’re willing to take me up on the challenge to erase the line that separates the secular mundane activities from the sacred majestic relationship with Jesus, then leave a comment that says, “I’m all in!”

Digging Deeper

Friend, this is a message that changed my life. I discovered that closeness to God wasn’t accomplished by doing more for Him but being more in touch with Him throughout the day.

Do you long to feel close to God but sense there’s something missing? That you’ve missed that mysterious formula to make it happen? Do you have a glory ache – a persistent longing to experience God’s presence and working in your life, but not quite sure how to make it happen? If so, my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, is just for you. Join me and discover how to erase the lines between the secular and the sacred and experience a deeper more intimate relationship with God than ever before.

This book includes a study guide in the back!

 

 

 

 




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Comments 195

  5. I am all in

    I need this today. As a mom of two young adults with special needs, my own struggles and in a grief journey I can so relate to this person’s story.
    Between meeting and Dr appointments and their needs I try so hard to have quiet time with God and I too long to hear his voice but with everything around me it makes it so difficult.
    I need to do exactly that erase that middle line out slow down and take the time to be in his presence and allow him to work in me and through me. Everything else can wait. Because if I don’t have him in my life I have nothing.

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  9. I so needed this today!! God is so good! When I feel like I’m talking to the walls, He is actually hearing me and, this morning, this message proves just that! Thank you! ♥️

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  11. I’m all in! It seemed I was feeling this same emptiness, lack of connection with Jesus over the last few months, even during the Christmas. I could not fathom why, until reading this devotion. I know see how it’s easy to separate what I want to get done in my life throughout my day, and haven’t invited Jesus into my day at all. Thank you.

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  13. I’m all in 😇🙌🏾🙌🏾 and I would love a copy of your book.. have a blessed 🙌🏾 day 🙏🏾 ✨️

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  22. Yes! Yes! And Yes! Thank you so much for this devotion. All of them are wonderful but this one really hit home for me. I was raised in the church by Godly parents and grandparents but have never had that aha moment and have felt something was wrong with my relationship with God. This certainly gave me a new perspective. Thank you for sharing this because it helped me see what I needed to see. Bless you and your ministry. ❤️

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  26. I am all in. What a great message that I needed today as I try to ramp down some of my volunteerism. I love to help other people which I had thought about as a character flaw but maybe that is what God is leading me to do. I just don’t need to be someone who is doing to much as they are others that might be ready and willing to step in… maybe?

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  27. I’m al in. This was like oh my goodness. Thank you Lord I’m so thankful that I seen your message. It was like the words coming out of my mouth.

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  29. thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I needed that today. And perhaps that closeness I once felt has been hindered by listening to TV while I’m working around the house (think Christmas Hallmark moves). I need to turn off the TV and put on the Christian radio. I’m all in!

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  34. I really appreciate your story and encouragement. I often have these feelings and thoughts and I often think it’s Satan. I have always looked for approval and am a people pleaser which is not what God wants for me.
    I want to learn to learn to trust more in God’s love for me because we all fall short of the Glory of God.
    This really spoke volumes to me Thank you and Blessings to You

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  38. I’m all in. Yes, I believe asking Jesus to be with me in all things, reminding myself that he is always with me wherever I am, all this helps me feel closer to Jesus. Even though I may not have a lightning strike moment, I feel peace knowing that in all things I do, he is with me and I talk to Jesus like that, too. Just asking him to be with me and asking him to take my day and let me follow him. Praise to Jesus and God. What a great God we have.

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  39. Sharon,
    Thankful for receiving your message today
    Looking back, I remember reading this book, when first published. You are such a gifted writer, I plan on re- reading your book. (Books).
    I recommend them all!

    Reply

  45. Good day….
    I know exactly about feeling I have God in my life but the feeling of an intimate connection was lacking. The last 10 or so years I have found that relationship. I want it to grow deeper yet. I have learned to listen to that small still voice. I talk to him constantly throughout the day. Constantly thank you even when I have found my phone that I misplaced. I feel I need to always include him in every detail of my day no matter how large or small the details are.
    I love him. Sandy

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    1. Yes, including Him in daily living is key. I don’t always manage to do that, though. Thank God when something bad doesn’t happen (like dropping a knife on the floor and not hitting your foot).

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  46. I need this…I, too, feel “Stephanie’s” plight! I pray diligently for an awareness of God’s presence and hearing his voice. My desire is for a Shema heart, so…
    I’m all in!

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  49. I am all in. I am wife, caretaker of husband with dementia and daughter starting radiation for cancer. Feel I am not enough and no time for me

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  54. I’m all in i need and want a better closer more intimate daily even longer days with Jesus I don’t know why my mind wonders a million places all day n night

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    1. That’s how I live! I feel God’s presence like He is surrounding me and there ANY time I want to call out and talk with Him. I never want to be without Him because He gives me life, protection, love, guidance, peace, EVERYTHING! Without Him, I am nothing. God is so GOOD…His mercy endures forever! Who could ask for MORE? Thank you, God! I am so glad He is God yet finds time to notice us…grains like sand or stars in the sky!

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  56. I’m all in!

    Oh Sharon! You have such a unique way of writing that just connects with the heart! Thank you for not listening to the lies of the enemy that, “no one would want to read what I write.” And for following God’s leadership in your life. I’m always excited to open your emails and read them. (Although I confess it’s been awhile!;() Thank you for this powerful truth! God bless you!

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  58. Such a reminder for me as I go through yet again one of these empty feelings. Thank you for be going this up and writing about it.

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  59. Just what I needed. I’ve felt like this for years. Wondering what I missed. Asking was my acceptance of Christ as my Savior and baptism enough? Maybe I need to recite the sinners prayer more often? What have I done that I don’t have that burning bush, mountain top experience?

    Thank you for sharing her thoughts. And now I know it’s a glory ache.

    I’m all in.

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  65. This was me in my earlier years while busy raising children. I too was raised in the church and always wondered why God never spoke to me like he did many other women in the church. It wasn’t until I went to a ladies conference totally exhausted and frustrated as a young mother, that I put out a fleece before God. My demand was, if you don’t allow me to experience your presence this weekend I am giving up. One evening service while the Spirit was moving, I felt the unction to go and stand against the wall to pray. Of course I was worried what others would think, so I just knelt at my seat to pray. Thank God he gave me a second chance through the women’s leader! She said I think we all need to stand facing the wall as a wailing wall. I could not get to that wall quickly enough. I remember wailing and crying out all my hurt and frustrations and being so filled with the spirit I could hardly walk straight. I later realized I needed to face that wall in order to not look around at others but only straight up to the Father. Don’t compare your relationship to Christ with others, ask the Father for your own special encounter but be ready to be obedient! I still thank God and the lady in charge of that conference for being obedient to the Holy Spirit even if it was just for me! Once you have experienced your own special encounter with the Holy Spirit it gives you the confidence you need to never give up. Trials still come, that’s how we grow, but don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences.

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  78. I learned a very important quote from Don Dolindo Ruotolo – “Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything”. That includes the dirty diaper you change, the sick husband you care for, and the toys you pick up after everyone is asleep. Yes, it’s also the meals for the homeless and the volunteering at church BUT it is everything you do and every decision you must make. Turn it over to Him first. It took me years to find Him everywhere and now He goes everywhere with me.

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  85. I’m all in! God’s presence is all around us in the beauty of nature and creation! Take a walk and let his presence touch your soul!:)

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  89. I am struggling in this area too. I am 500 days in my grief journey for my husband. Empty and numb with grief makes it difficult to praise Him like I should. My Faith has been weak and shaky. I’m All In! Fasting, Praying, and Leaning in to hear from God in this season. Thank you for this word. It has encouraged my heart.

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  96. I am All In! I have a copy of your book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Search for Something More. I am on my way to discovering the more.

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  115. I’m all In!

    Thank you for this devotion Sharon. I read your devotional book Momma Moments with God and it is still one of my most cherished books. It spoke such life to me during a season of difficulty and season of transition stepping into what I felt God was allowing me and leading me to do.
    You wrote about this in that devotion that there is no sacred/secular divide and has stuck with me ever since. It was a revelation to me. It is something I share with others it was such a revelation. And God revealing He cares and is with us in everything, even the mundane, small things, and things that don’t seem important has helped me understand His love in a deeper way. And today was a great reminder. I’ve struggled with the glory ache too. I do feel close to Him when I’m reminded of this.

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  128. I’m All In!!! In The Name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! So I say also Yes, Thank You Jesus and Amen for doing it, for making it All happen for us and for It All Being So! Glory, Glory! Hallelujah!

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  159. I’m all in! Sharon, today’s message really touched my soul and my heart. I want to thank the woman who shared her story with us, and you for making so clear as to be closer to God.

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  178. Yes! Thanks for the reminder, as the song says, “Let us Pray, let us Pray! Everywhere and every way, every moment of the day, it is the right time!!” ~Steven Curtis Chapman

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