Before addressing the questions previously posed I have a few more personal reflections to share. It is becoming increasingly apparent to me that I simply cannot love God more dearly by effort. I am reminded of P.T. Forsyth's observation that preachers often ask listeners to do that which they simply cannot do. Sermons replete with admonitions to love God more, pray more fervently, be more obedient, etc., drive paritioners either to despair, repeated confessions of guilt, or to finding false solace in religious affirmations that cover the deeper problems of human sin.

But neither am I simply passive in my relationship with God. There is a mysterious symbiotic relationship with God that cannot be fully expressed or explained. Often I do not respond to God's promptings as I think I should; at other times I am moved towards him seemingly without effort at all--I simply discover that I am in a different place than previously. Faith rejoices at such times of discovery because there is the full recognition that no human effort was involved.

These discoveries re-enforce my growing belief that the church needs to be less practical in its approach. God cannot be found through effort, nor through the application of improved techniques. He can only be sought. God alone decides when and how to reveal himself to the human soul.