Draw Near to God
As I was thinking ahead to what inspirational theme I would choose to write about for this journal entry, I was desperately closing my eyes tight and trying to listen to what God might be saying to me. I was trying to think back and remember the spiritual lessons I’d learned and progress I’d made on my Christian journey so that I too could write something inspirational, helpful and something that would be a challenge to others.
As I listened, I heard…nothing! Surely the Lord had spoken to me over the last few weeks, I remember having a picture for a friend who came round to pray, I remember the new song we sang on Sunday had great words and a catchy tune, I remember more than one friend encouraging me, but what had God spoken to me specifically? I started to panic and wonder if anyone had noticed any decline in my spiritual walk. Then the verse James 4v8 came to mind, a verse I have written many times in cards to bring comfort and encouragement to people; ‘Draw near to God and he will draw near to you’. There it is again, that gentle reminder to me to draw close to my heavenly Father.
I confess that I find it difficult to be still, I like to be multi-tasking as much as possible, I have been known to be in my kitchen preparing two different meals for the week, baking a cake for a friend and dictating the weekly shop to a ‘willing’ daughter whilst the washing machine is on its third cycle of the day. What a productive evening! However, those gentle words again, ‘Draw near to God and he will draw near to you’. As I did take that moment this week to ‘draw near’ there wasn’t a rush of words from the Holy Spirit, ‘thank goodness Jacqui, I can finally speak to you!’ The moment was one of peace and a sense that God wanted to just have me in his presence. I do challenge myself to have those moments of drawing near, being still and putting aside the distractions around me.
Martin helpfully spoke to us recently about coming empty and leaving full. God does not disappoint us in this, each time we come to him, whether it is for an hour of uninterrupted devotional time or a few moments driving to work, he fills us with his Holy Spirit. God knows what we need and when he has something to communicate to us, he is a creative God and speaks in many ways. The encouragement I want to share with you is that with me, we make those moments to ‘Draw near to God’ and then enjoy knowing that ‘he will draw near to you’.