Q: I joined the Adventist Church in 2011, but encountered a challenge in 2014 when my mother died. Feeling a lot of loneliness and a void in my heart, I decided to marry someone outside of the church. Sadly, that marriage only lasted a year. I now feel guilty and disconnected from Christ. Please advise me, pastor, for I feel hopeless! — David
A: David, I am sorry to hear of the multiple heartaches that you have experienced. In spite of how you feel, however, I want to assure you that God has not forsaken you. He longs for you to return to Him and invites you to come just as you are.
Long ago, another David who had regrets wrote a beautiful prayer of repentance that we find in Psalm 51. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. … Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. … Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. … The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
Start spending time with God by reading the Bible and praying each day. There are so many beautiful promises in God’s word that you can claim. I also want to encourage you to read that powerful little book Steps to Christ, where you will find much hope. You can download a free copy of the book at https://bit.ly/StepsToChrist.
I want to encourage you to re-connect with your Adventist church family. Talk with your pastor. Pray together. Start attending Sabbath school and church services once again. Come back and experience the warm fellowship of your church family. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to Him.