More Than Physical

They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. But does it really? Oftentimes, the more we are separated from someone, the harder it is to feel close to them. By the time we reconnect, the relationship feels like it has to start over. It can be a difficult place to be. Many have experienced this in life. Friendships are lost due to time and space apart. Close relationships can become a distant memory. And if we aren’t careful, our faith can begin to look like this. Think back to the moment of your salvation. When you first believed that Jesus Christ came, lived, died, and rose again so that you might live. You probably left that moment, as many do, on fire to change the world for God. To know more. To read more. The trick to the faith journey of our lives is that the feeling we had on that mountaintop isn’t supposed to stop. Scripture calls us to continue that journey of understanding each and every day of our lives. The author of Hebrews put it this way:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV). Because of all that Jesus came and did for us, we’re called and instructed to draw near to God. The great passion of this writer is that we draw near to God. That we come to his throne to find all the help we need. That we come to him confident that he will reward us with all that he is for us in Jesus (John Piper, Let Us Draw Near to God).

However, over the centuries, we’ve gotten this idea of drawing near to God confused. That somehow our drawing near involves attending some service or meeting. But the truth is for every believer that this drawing near is not a physical act. It's not building a tower of Babel, by your achievements, to get to heaven. It's not necessarily going to a church building. Or walking to an altar at the front. It is an invisible act of the heart. You can do it while standing absolutely still, or while lying in a hospital bed, or while sitting in a pew listening to a sermon. Drawing near is not moving from one place to another. It is a directing of the heart into the presence of God who is as distant as the holy of holies in heaven, and yet as near as the door of faith. He is commanding us to come. To approach him. To draw near to him (John Piper, Let Us Draw Near to God).

Drawing near to God isn’t about the physical acts that we can do. It’s true that they may aide you in something. They may help your mind focus in, but drawing near to God is about the posture of our hearts. It’s about turning our hearts to Him. To seek His face. To abide in His presence. As the psalmist said, the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18 NIV). Take a step to draw near to the Lord this week. It’s more than physical. Turn your hearts to Him and seek His presence today. He commands us to come.