Draw Me Close to You

“So, then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you; draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”

~James 4:7-8a (NRSV).

There are certain times when I just feel a depth of loneliness that’s hard to describe; I know we all feel this way sometimes. When I miss family members, for instance, or I get some bad news or some indifferent feedback; the world is awfully estranging at these times. Yet, that’s the world!

James is very pragmatic in his wisdom gospel. He contends it is simple cause and effect, this faith-deal. Resist the evil one and firmly cling to God—that’s his advice.

When I have those horribly lonely times of heart, I do quickly run to God in my spirit. And he is so refreshing. Cleansing tears envelope my eyes, ears and cheeks as I pour my heart out to him who knows me so well.

There is a song that Michael W. Smith sings on a CD I own. It’s called, Draw Me Close, by Kelly Carpenter. The lyrics and music speak so much of that personal time with God when we’ll cry out to him.

In life there’s always choice—we cannot get away with choosing the middle ground. A choice not for God is a choice for the world and enmity with God; however, a choice for God is enmity (when it counts) with the world, and the prince of this world.

When we’re lonely, sad or depressed, equally we have the above choice. Take the lukewarm approach with God i.e. the world’s way (and that of the enemy’s) and we stand to get little or no spiritual or emotional relief. On the other hand, where we draw close to God he is sure to draw close to us. Peace is available as a result.

I have found this is not only a habit we get into—the choice, I mean—but it also necessarily springs from desire. We must cultivate that inner desire to want him. This desire is to be second to none. Do this and you’ll soon see why. God is amazingly faithful. He gently but most assuredly affirms us, very personally.

When I’m feeling low, and as I write I do feel that way, I’m comforted in my knowledge that God is with me and if I wanted to cry out to him, he’s there. Indeed, I feel his loving reassurance now. It’s like nothing else.

We can’t help feel lonely and helpless sometimes. That is a great reason to draw close to God; only he can truly help us with our spiritual ills—the soul-sickness everyone gets.

This Jesus-balm is ever-healing and ever-renewing.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.