Getting Closer.....

Did you ever want to get so close to a loved one that you plaster yourself against them? Love is like that. Desire is like that. "Wanting" is like that. Emotions run deep when it comes to family and friends, but I wonder how deep they run when it comes to God.

No matter how close I'd like to be to my grandchildren, they don't see the desire the same as I do. Father God wants to get close, so close that we can hear His heart beat and yet, we don't always have the same desire He has.
What is it that causes us to falter in drawing close to Him? Each must answer that question for themselves. My answer may not be the same as yours.

I was at my 50th high school reunion last night. It was very interesting to see all the "kids" from yesteryear, now grandparents, some ailing, some fit, some lost, some saved, but all of us dying. Some have already gone to eternity, 48 out of 253 graduates. Forty eight makes a long list. The man who read it had a hard time getting through the list as he reflected on knowing them as young, vibrant personalities. Listening to each name was very sobering. I think the hugging we did was a celebration of the life we have yet to live. But, how many there has LIFE? My best friend's kidneys are failing, another gal was on oxygen, many of the men were not in good shape....all I could think of was their eternal state. Do they know the Lord? They go to church. Do they know the Lord?

Do I know the Lord the way I know my granddaughter? Do I know Him so well, that I want to press myself against Him? If we don't get to know Him here, get close to Him here in this life, do we have eternal life with Him? I'm sure that question would bring a myriad of answers and perhaps some heated discussion! It's not a theological question, it's really a question to cause each one of us to ponder this life and eternity. If I didn't know anyone at the reunion would I have belonged? My granddaughter permits me to lean against her because I spend time with her, not because I am her biological grandmother. Remember at the "Last Supper" when John leaned against Jesus breast? He longed to get as close as he could to the Lord because he loved Him. I pray we too have a longing to get close to Jesus day by day, so that when it comes time we will pass from this life to a greater one. Time is given to us all and how we use it will determine what our future state will be.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 104:33).