“Draw near unto God and He will draw near unto you.” – James 4:8
For family members or close friends to distance themselves from you is very difficult to accept. Closeness is a desirable trait in the normal development of relationships. While we may be physically separated from loved ones by hundreds of miles or many days, we can still experience nearness in our hearts. So it was for me when I spent nine months away from my family while working on my doctorate degree. Spiritual nearness helps to overcome physical separation.
In order for God to do His work in us, we must be willing to come to Him, surrendering self-will to His will. Many are called, but few are chosen. When we respond positively to His calling, He has further promised never to leave us or forsake us. Never is a long time; in fact it is forever. That is a promise, and we know that God never (there’s that word again) breaks a promise.
When Jesus was gathering His disciples, He gave them a powerful two-word commandment, “Follow Me.” He was saying to them – come with Me, draw near, walk with Me, learn from Me, do My will, and I will be your daily companion. We cannot legitimately claim the title of Christian by going our own way.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit, God in the third person, comes to dwell with us. You can’t get any closer than that. Do you have that spiritual nearness in your life? If not, the opportunity is there. He is tenderly calling, will you answer the call?
