In reading the book of Joel, it made me reflect on a lot of things in my life. In this chapter of the Bible, you see both sides of God's love, to two different extremes. First he takes everything away from his people, and then gives everything back in full, if not more! This can be compared to our lives, our country, even our world. When you are out of God's will, he allows you to follow is permissive will; which means he allows you to make your own mistakes. So many times that happens to us. We think God just left us or abandoned us, but really he is there waiting with open arms. Makes me think of the song “when God ran”; basically it talks about how God will never run away from you; he’ll only run towards you. He doesn't like to discipline us by any means, but if that's what it takes for us to realize we need him more then anything on this earth; then he'll do it.
There was a time in my life where I felt as if God was gone; up and left. I was very content with my life, almost too content. I wasn't really into anything horrible, but I wasn't into anything good either (if that makes sense). I was Luke warm. As I look back now, it’s easier for me to see how certain circumstances at the time played out how they did. It took me sometime to realize that I was out of God's will; it was almost as if I was in some sort of denial. As soon as I repented and turned my life back towards the right direction I felt as if a huge amount of weight was lifted from my shoulders. Almost immediately I felt God's love overwhelm me and fill a void that I had for so long. Just like in the book of Joel.