November 27

There is a concept of nearness (closeness) that few have understood and few have meditated on. I encourage you to meditate on this today.

Ephesians 2:13 (NIV84) — 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

God is everywhere right? He is omni-present. Colossians tells us that He “holds all things together”, so it makes sense that He is everywhere. He is like the gravitational force that actually keeps our bodies from coming apart and floating away. This verse in Ephesians and others(like in James 4), talk about the distance we are from God. If He is everywhere, then how can anyone be “distant” from Him.

Think about your relationship with a spouse or someone who is close to you. Have you ever been in their presence and yet there has been a distance between you? Let’s take it further, even though there is come closeness that takes place, can’t there be a “closer” closeness? It seems that in a marriage, that may never end. By my observation, there is always a “closer-ness” that is to be attained. It is the same with God.

Some people don’t get why we worship and pray and just spend time in His presence – it is all about getting closer! First we were far away from Him, then He brought us close through Christ. Now He continues to draw us closer to Him and when we respond, we become closer. We can also get further away from Him through our own devices, but our life must be spent getting closer – and when we think we are really close, we see there is still a “closer-ness” to be attained. Get in His presence and experience Him close, and then go closer still.