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I'm finding it very hard to get closer to God. I am beginning to understand why I am unable to get closer to God and why He won't reveal Himself to me; it is because of the world and my love for the things of the world. How can I live in the world without letting the world live in me? My question to you is how do I live in this world without being of the world and at the same time feel happy and not left out?

Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed  to His Father saying, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:15-16). Our Lord's intention for us is to live in this world without having it affecting us. St Paul urges us "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:2). This does not mean that you should not have friends or should not be successful but it is a matter of prioritizing things in our lives with the aim of glorifying God in everything we do. You need first to establish a relationship with the Lord. This relationship depends on the communication between you and the Lord. The way to communicate with the Lord is through prayer. Praying is talking to the Lord, it is not just reciting some Psalms but it is conversing with God, feeling that you are in His presence and you are standing face to face before Him. Talk to Him, tell Him your worries, and ask Him to help you out and to show you the right path. There is nothing wrong with being with friends  as long as you are with the right friends who behave in a godly manner and have it as a goal in their lives to glorify God. When you get together; ask yourselves: is the Lord among you and do you do things that are not befitting the children of God? A good way to test if you are with the good crowd or if your actions are appropriate is to always ask yourself 'if Jesus was in my place  what would He do?' If you answer this question honestly you will avoid many worldly things that are not godly and will protect yourself from falling into sin.

Pray to the Lord to lead you in His ways and help you follow His commandments knowing that He is always waiting for you to return to Him.