Getting close to God

By John Fischer

“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” (James 4:8)

It’s been this way since time began. God set it up so we would seek him, and he would respond to us when we did. Is he playing hard to get? Well, he may be, only inasmuch as he wants a relationship with someone who wants one with him, and the way you show that you do is by seeking him. God will not force himself on anyone.

This is an incredible privilege he has given his creation, when you think of it. God joins in the give and take of a relationship with us! That means that if you don’t get close to God, well … you don’t get close to God. In other words, he gives us the integrity of making the first move.

I think this is what was meant in that strange passage in Matthew 6:7-8 when Jesus warns us not to give what is sacred to dogs and not to give pearls to pigs. God doesn’t reveal himself to those who aren’t interested in a relationship with him. And it’s no indictment on them; they simply wouldn’t get it. Dogs don’t know what is sacred. Pigs have no use for pearls. Their only value is what they can eat, so the real value of pearls would be wasted on a pig.

The truth about God is wasted on someone who is not interested in knowing him, so he doesn’t draw near to that person. He draws near to those who come to him. But believe me, once you show any indication of interest, he’s right there.

Actually, we all need God and we all know it. Even those who deny God and run the other way are desperately seeking him from some empty place inside. We just don’t all want to admit it.

But for those who do, God is all over any attempt on our part to get close to him. It makes no difference how you do this. There is no right or wrong way to seek God. You just seek him, and you keep on seeking him. There’s no end to this because there’s no end to God. There’s always more of him to discover and experience. Worship is never static. It keeps opening up more and more of God to us as we worship him and live our lives out according to his purposes.