Ghosting God

 

As the Christmas season fades into the rearview mirror and the focus on Christ and the meaning of His birth slips away, a quiet question lingers: What now? After the celebrations, the carols, the festive lights, and the family gatherings, it’s easy to lose sight of the deeper significance of the season. For many, the drive to attend church or engage with their faith begins to wane, and the rhythm of everyday life takes over. This shift, while subtle, can lead to a deeper question: Are we ghosting God?

The Christmas season often draws in more people to church than at any other time of year, but the motivations are mixed. For some, it’s a genuine opportunity to reflect on the birth of Jesus, honoring Him as the Christ and Messiah. For others, it’s more about family tradition, the nostalgia of the season, or the desire to soak in the “Christmas vibes.” But there's a danger when people misunderstand what it means to follow Christ. For those who only show up on Christmas and Easter—the so-called “Chreasters” or “irregular regulars”—there can be a sense of security in their sporadic attendance, as if simply showing up twice a year somehow guarantees their place with God. Yet, this view misses the mark of what Christianity truly is: a dynamic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, not a cultural tradition or a set of occasional appearances.

For some, church attendance becomes a routine, a checkbox they mark for the season. But genuine faith is never about maintaining an appearance or fulfilling an obligation. It’s about being in a real, ongoing relationship with the Creator, one that doesn’t begin and end with a holiday. The Bible warns us not to forsake gathering together with fellow believers (Hebrews 10:25), yet many who only attend during Christmas or Easter miss the deeper call to community, accountability, and regular worship. Church is meant to be a place where believers can encourage one another, be challenged, and grow in their walk with Christ—not a once-or-twice-a-year gathering.

The rise of affluence and comfort in our society often leads people to believe that they have all they need. The world tells us that success, security, and happiness can be found in wealth, comfort, and achievement. As a result, many don’t feel the need to turn to God, especially in times of crisis. They see the church as irrelevant or powerless to help. But success, as Jesus pointed out, does not satisfy the deepest longings of the soul. The pursuit of success outside of God’s will is like chasing after wind—it promises fulfillment but leaves us empty.

Then comes the New Year, and with it, the quiet "ghosting" of God. The festive spirit has faded, and now it’s just life as usual. For some, the temptation to withdraw from God becomes stronger after the holidays. Ghosting, as it’s called, may feel like the easiest escape—avoiding the awkwardness of confrontation or the discomfort of commitment. It’s a way of fading out of something that’s no longer convenient. But ghosting isn’t just a sign of apathy or avoidance; it often reflects deeper struggles—lack of courage to confront the direction one’s life has taken, or a refusal to embrace God’s call to a different way of living. Ghosting, in a sense, becomes an act of saying, "I want to live life on my own terms."

Yet, when we choose to go our own way and reject God’s invitation to live in relationship with Him, He doesn’t force us to stay. Much like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), God allows us to walk away if we insist on doing things our way. But there are consequences. Just as the prodigal son found himself destitute, disconnected from his father, and wasting his inheritance on fleeting pleasures, so too do we squander the resources God has given us—our time, our talents, our gifts—when we choose a path apart from Him. The things we chase outside of God’s will never truly satisfy us. The pursuit of worldly success, comfort, or self-gratification may promise fulfillment but ultimately leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled.

The good news, however, is that God doesn’t give up on us. Just as the father in the parable eagerly awaited the return of his son, so does God wait with open arms, ready to welcome us back when we turn to Him. Even if we’ve ghosted Him, even if we’ve wandered far away, our heavenly Father is always ready to receive us with love and grace. There is always a way back to Him, and His forgiveness is ever-present for those who return to Him in repentance.

In the end, the choice is ours: will we continue to ghost God, or will we come back to Him, seeking a relationship that brings true joy and fulfillment? The deeper fulfillment we seek can only be found in Christ, and the life He offers is far greater than any empty pursuit the world can provide. God’s plan for us is always the best plan, and when we live in alignment with it, we find not only purpose but also peace that transcends circumstances.

So, as the glow of Christmas fades and the reality of the new year sets in, let’s reflect on where we stand with God. Are we ready to reconnect with Him, to stop ghosting Him, and to allow our relationship with Him to grow? The choice is always ours, but the invitation to return is always open.

Have a Blessed New Year!