You're Not Chasing a Ghost

When the boys were younger, we used to play Call of Duty and Modern Warfare together. They’d be zipping around the map with all the skill in the world. They always knew exactly where I was.

But me? I was lost. Wandering. Spinning in circles. I could never find them. Sometimes they’d even follow me around—literally right behind me—and I would never see them. They were close the whole time, but to me, it felt like they’d vanished. It felt like I was chasing a ghost.

Some people think that’s how God operates.

They think He’s up there watching the screen of your life—tracking your moves, monitoring your decisions—while staying just out of reach. Like He’s intentionally hidden, testing whether you’ll figure it out.

But that’s not who He is.

God isn’t running from you. He’s not hiding behind obstacles. He’s not cloaked in mystery just to see if you’ll crack the code. God didn't design life to feel like a foggy morning. He is the Sun who burns away the fog of life.

This isn’t hide-and-seek. God isn’t interested in confusing you. He didn’t design salvation to be difficult, complicated, or obscure.

Too often, we act like God is the one hiding—like He’s behind some spiritual wall, waiting for us to piece together the clues.

But Scripture tells a different story. God reveals Himself. He makes Himself known. 

When I think back to road trips with DiAnne—the ones where we rented a convertible and just… drove—I’m reminded how different life feels when there’s no pressure to “arrive.”

We had rules:
No 4-lane highways unless absolutely necessary.
No reservations.
Play a round of golf somewhere along the way.
And the driver couldn’t question the navigator.

We didn’t know where we were going, but that was the point. We stopped at places we would normally drive past. We browsed antique stores. We lingered. We meandered. It wasn’t about the destination. It was about being together.

Sometimes, we treat our relationship with God the same way.

We think if we could just get the instructions right—just map it all out—we’d finally get there. But salvation isn’t about control. It’s about closeness. It’s not about finding a spot on the map. It’s about walking with the One who drew it.

So let’s clear something up:

Faith isn’t the final objective.
Heaven isn’t the final objective.
Relationship with God is the final objective.

Let me say that again—because it matters:

Heaven is not the goal. God is.
Faith is not the finish line. It’s the path.
Our salvation begins and ends with Him.

We want to go to heaven because that’s where God lives.
We want faith because faith leads us into a relationship with Him.

If you feel like you're stuck in the game, lost on the map, spinning in circles, wondering where God went—hear this:

He’s not gone.
He’s not hiding.
He’s right beside you.

God isn't playing hide-and-seek. He is standing in the open so you can find Him.

He’s not watching from a distance.
He’s walking with you.
He’s whispering through His Word.
He’s calling through every sunrise, every Scripture, every stirring in your heart.

You don’t need clearer directions. You need deeper connection.

Stop trying to reach a destination. Start walking in relationship.

Let go of the pressure to arrive. Grab hold of the invitation to abide.

He’s closer than you think.