The Powerful Perks of Staying Close to Jesus
Distance makes the heart grow fonder. You’ve heard the saying, I’m sure. Has it held true for you? Maybe sometimes yes and sometimes no? Here’s a funny example of this from my file of teacher stories. In my very first year of teaching, of course I had that one student who caused me plenty of grief. There’s always one! Ha! Anyway, he was (and still is) a great kid with a fantastic family, but he just didn’t know how to act quite right. If there was one kid not doing the right thing while everybody else was, that was him.
But there’s something about those students who stress you out the most… They also seem to be the ones who stick with you the longest. They’re the ones who pop back into your classroom to visit once they’re out of your class, and they’re the ones who often stay in touch even after they’ve moved on from your school. At least that’s my experience! And ya know what? The farther removed they are from your daily classroom “grind,” the more loveable they become. Once I didn’t have to be nagging this young man every day, I could just talk to him, laugh with him, reminisce with him, and build a new kind of relationship with him. Although I loved him all along, distance certainly made the heart grow fonder in this case. 🙂
Of course, this is just one example of increased space triggering increased affection. This saying can be found true in many different ways! And, of course, it can also be proven false in some circumstances. One such circumstance? Your relationship with God. If I distance myself from God, whether intentionally or not, I have not found my heart growing fonder of Him. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The more space I allow to grow between God and me, the harder my heart becomes and the more I think I’m just fine on my own.
When it comes to your relationship with God, closeness is key. Closeness brings so many positive benefits and blessings! Here are a few:
COURAGE! When you stay near to God, He fills you with courage, strength and encouragement when you need it most. He promises to be with you, so you can be certain He’s not up in Heaven testing out the “distance makes the heart grow fonder” catch phrase at your expense.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9
CLARITY! Be careful not to get too far out ahead of the Lord. Stay close enough to be able to hear the whisper of His voice. When you are close enough to hear His whisper, He will direct you when you’re not sure which way to go.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” -Isaiah 30:21
COMFORT! No one walks through life unscathed. When your times of sadness and grief come, resist the temptation to withdraw from God. His presence is close when your heart is broken and your spirit is crushed. Let Him comfort you.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18
CLEANSING! Staying in close relationship with God is a step toward cleansing. The Bible says that if you call on God and seek His face, He will hear you and forgive your sins—maybe the best blessing of all.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14
COMPASSION! When you seek closeness with the Lord, especially when you’ve fallen into sin and are ready to turn from your wicked ways, God stands at the ready with compassion. Don’t let your sin drive you away from Him. Once you’ve recognized it, come closer to receive His compassion.
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will freely forgive. -Isaiah 55:6-7
COMMUNION! Drawing near to God allows you to live in communion with Him. It brings fullness of life! Abundance. Life in relationship with Him is God’s great desire for you. He offers eternal life to those who believe in Him, and that doesn’t just mean prolonged life… It means enjoying a whole new quality of life in unhindered communion with God. (John 17:3)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11
So can we change the old familiar saying? Distance might make the heart grow fonder when it comes to human relationships, but in our relationships with God, the closer we are to Him, the more our hearts grow and burst in love for Him. Not only that, but we reap the life-giving benefits of His courage, clarity, comfort, cleansing, compassion and communion. What about this as a new mantra: Nearness makes the heart grow fuller. Sign me up for that!