It's Really That Simple!

Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you... (James 4:8, KJV)

I have a friend whom I talk with on a regular basis. We have a wide range of things that we discuss, but usually before we part ways, he and I will end up talking about God. No matter what we discuss regarding God, he will, without fail, make the statement, "The Bible is just too hard and complex to understand." Now, I can understand why he might say that, and I will admit that some things in the word of God are complex. Establishing a relationship with God isn't one of them.

I want us to see how simple our God has made it for us to establish a relationship with him. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." The closer we draw to him, the closer he will draw to us. And how do we draw closer? We worship, we praise, we pray as often as we can so we can stay in fellowship with him; we fast, and we obey his commands. Now I know some people might see this list of things and think, "that doesn't seem so simple." It most definitely is because we have the Holy Spirit, the Helper sent to aid us in all things.

Our God created us to be in relationship with him, a personal and intimate relationship, something designed to last throughout all eternity, something we will always be able to use. Our relationship with the Lord is something we can lean on in times of weakness and rely on when it seems like everything else has failed us. So today let us do two things. One, let us realize how awesome an opportunity it is able to enter into a personal relationship with the Almighty God.

As children of the most high God, we have been afforded the opportunity to get to know him, to fellowship with him, to make our petitions known to him, knowing that not only dies he hear them, but he also acts on them according to what he knows is best for us. We've been given the chance to be loved unconditionally, comforted, provided for, watched over, and protected by the one who never fails. That brings us to the second things we should do today. When we realize how awesome the opportunity we've been afforded really is, let's cherish it and take advantage of it.

This relationship is not something we were worthy of, it's not something we were owed, nor is it anything we could have ever earned. It is something that flows exclusively from our God and his super-abundant grace. God didn't have to allow us the chance to form relationships with him, but his love and desire for us is so intense that he gave us this opportunity, even at the cost of his only begotten son. So, today let us not only realize what we're being offered but let us also realize that without it we have noting and can do nothing. Don't let another moment pass: draw nigh to God and establish a relationship. It's what he's waiting for.

Prayer for the day: Dearest Father of us all, we make our relationship with you so complicated. We give you thanks for the Holy Spirit who helps us to hear your word and embrace it. Guide us each day to seek your presence in all that we do. Thank you for your promise to always be close to us when we seek you. Amen.