NEARER TO GOD

Some things seem far and others feel far away.  When we hear the news and see the burned out buildings and those without even a place to live, it seems far.   When we have a pain or an ache, it is most definitely near. 

What gives us the perspective of near and far?   Our minds are like a great recording machine.  Everything that effects us is there to continue to come to the front and are often fast forwarded to our emotions.  Being what we are, there is only change when we let there be. 

How do we do that?  Very good question, but it usually comes when we draw close to God.  Exactly, how we do that, one may ask?  

STOP WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHAT WE ARE HEARING.

If it is a TV program, turn it off and replace it with soft music. 

If it is someone around us that causes stress, take a few minutes to be alone for a while.

If we feel lonely, call a friend, but first call on the Savior through prayer and share with Him your feelings.

If we have sadness that we are certain will not go away; even though it may become less eventually, read a psalm and you will find that the Psalmist had sadness also and great ups and downs. What did he do?  He called out to God. 

Because God is everywhere, you will never be alone completely in your thoughts.

Yesterday, I went to the pharmacy. There was a woman there who was talking very loud and I heard her say, "JESUS!!!" I looked at her and she yelled at me, "YES, I SAID 'JESUS' AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT ME. I'M 50 YEARS OLD AND I CAN SAY WHAT I WANT!!!"

I thought quickly to myself, "What is wrong with this person, yelling the name of Jesus as she did."

I simply put my hands together and made the sign of praying; walked on and continued to pray for this person who obviously didn't have peace of mind and the name of JESUS was mostly a type of swearing.

"God, draw near to her, that she will know the joy of drawing near to you."