Wonder how far it is to God

Never again are we to look at the stars, as we did when
we were children, and wonder how far it is to God. A
being outside our world would be a spectator, looking
on but taking no part in this life where we try to be
brave despite all the bafflement. A God whocreated, and
withdrew, could be mighty, but he could not be love.
Who could love a God remote, when suffering is our lot?
Our God is closer than our problems, for they are out
there, to be faced; He is here, beside us, Emmanuel.
- Joseph E. McCabe (b. 1912), "Handel's Messiah"