Proximity

Proximity: nearness in space, time, or relationship.

Can I be honest? Sometimes I don't feel like I'm close to God. Sometimes it feels like He's not even there. Days go by and the busyness of life casts a shadow over a relationship that once shined bright in one season but looms dark in the next.

What happened?

Like most sheep, something catches their eye and they wander away from the shepherd. They became too familiar with the shepherd's voice, so they decided to look into something else. Distracted by their curiosity, they make a decision, and they leave the herd.

I'm reminded of what the Bible says. God made a promise that He would never leave nor forsake me. So it can't be that He left me. It must be that I strayed away from Him. Like the sheep, I was distracted by my curiosity and the nearness I once had with my shepherd has created a distance.

Sometimes I allow the mundane of life's routines and practices to create that distance too. It's difficult to hear the shepherd's voice when I get caught up in busyness. Including the busyness of Christian practices. The distractions block my awareness of Him, thus creating the feeling that He's not near.

To know God means to have proximity to Him. He is always available. Proximity is my choice. It's up to me whether or not I want to be close to God. God never left Adam. Adam ran and hid because of his nakedness (shame).

God is not afraid of my nakedness. God isn't afraid of yours either. You should want to get to know Him more. But most importantly, He wants to know you. It starts, with proximity.

Know Him.