Are you one of those people who loves being invited to events or are you one of those people that dreads the sight of an invitation in the mail? For me, it depends on what I'm being invited to, and who the event is for. For example, if I know the person really well then I'm usually delighted to attend an event which I have been invited to. However, if I do not know anyone at the event, or am not comfortable around those attending the event, then I'm less excited to receive an invitation. My relationship with God, has been much the same way. The more I become aware of the reality of God's actual character the more excited I become about spending time with Him. For some reason, I have struggled with some degree of seeing God as an angry Judge Mental Being While, it is not something I struggle with all the time, it is rather frequent .Recently,I came across a verse I've read many times only this time it hit me with new force and excitement. Ephesians 2:13 "You who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." The reality of that verse makes me want to dance! I was once as far away from God as a person could possibly be, and then The God of the universe brought me to Himself by the Blood of Christ! The barriers to to closeness with God have been removed! God invites each of us to trust the Good News that if We trust in Christ death and the victory of the Resurrection to be sufficient to bridge the enormous gap between us and God,then we come near to The Living One! If you are like me, you may find yourself taking this wonderful gift for granted.. You see, I am often tempted to think there are limits to just how close I can get to God or how close He is willing to be with me. Then this week I read Psalm 139:7-10
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"Where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I go up to heaven, You are there;if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
If I live at the eastern horizonor settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to Me."
I long for closeness- It amazes me that King Of Kings and Lord of Lords is inviting me to come near to him! He wants me to come near! Jesus has secured my invitation, and it does not expire! The same invitation is issued to you, as well, and I'm learning it isn't a general distant invitation it is deeply personal to you and me individually!
Let's not waste our invitation to come near, by entertaining ourselves with 'lesser" things" The more I discover God's real nature, the more I desire to accept his invitation to " Come Near" What comes to mind, as you read the words come near?
