Articles
Right Now the Lord is Near
In the swimming pool game, Marco-Polo, one person stands in shallow water with eyes closed and is searching for people by crying, “Marco!” Meanwhile, everyone else in the pool is trying to escape that person’s embrace by leading them on a wild goose chase to the sound of, “Polo!”. Just like in Marco-Polo, God is not that far from all of us (Psalm 139: 7-16). The only difference is, God wants us to find him so that He can intimately embrace us (Acts 17:26-27). With that being said, are we actually seeking His embrace?
Two possible reasons as to why we hold back from drawing near to God are because of uncomfortable feelings and doubts. Sometimes the thought maybe expressed, I can’t step in that church building because I don’t belong there. Luke 5:31-32 tells us that God sent Jesus down to Earth to die on the cross so that you can find comfort in His arms. Experiencing God’s immense love will cause change that can feel uncomfortable at first. Yet, Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV) says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Drawing ever closer to Him will create a spiritual joy and peace inside you that is transforming.
When suffering occurs, a person might wonder, Why are you letting this happen God? Where are you? Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV) reads, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” The joy and peace God bestows is always internal because His hope will be in our soul when we face tribulation. God also affirms to everyone in Psalm 145:8-21, that He will preserve and lift those who are falling because he abounds in steadfast love for His children.
God and His infinite wisdom are always available to us when we choose to seek Him!
