Draw Nigh to God - Alison Higgason
James 4:8a says, "Draw night to God and He will draw nigh to you."
I know that this is a familiar verse. But if you really look at this verse you will see that God's being near to us requires and action on our part. We have to first draw nigh to God. This can be done in several ways: Prayer, reading God's Word, being faithful to church, just to name a few. It is easy to let the "stuff of life" get in the way of our walk with the Lord and the devil actually prefers it that way. In this story I am about to share with you is my personal experience of the Lord working and convicting me of my walk with Him.
This past. 2023, Memorial Day, my husband and I moved four and a half hours away from where I grew up. The Lord called him back to his hometown church to be the pastor; so, obviously, we moved away from many dear friends and my family. Well, a couple months later, we had to go back to my hometown area for a funeral and so I thought I would try to get some time in with my dear, sweet, mother. I called her while we were on the road and tried to make some plans to go out for coffee (because we LOVE coffee) the next morning before we headed back home. (yes, this was a very short trip and unexpected) Unfortunately, she had a very busy weekend ahead of her and just couldn't seem to be able to even squeeze me in her schedule. We were staying with her so we had that; but I wanted some personal, one on one time, just me and her time. After hanging up with her, I was feeling very put out. I was frustrated and my feelings were quite hurt. I knew she loves me and I most definitely love her but I just couldn't understand why she wouldn't rearrange her schedule to be able to spend time with me. Right in the middle of my pouting the Lord tapped on my heart and said, "Daughter, how do you think I feel when you let "stuff" get you so busy that you just can't seem to find time to "Squeeze Me in", or the times you are just too tired to read your Bible, or you just can't sit for a while and Draw Nigh to me???" OUCH! Instant conviction came over me, my pouting ceased, and then I started praying to my Heavenly Father asking Him first, for forgiveness of my pouty attitude and then, for the times I made excuses for not being able to spend time with him so that I could draw closer to the Lord.
Don't worry there is a good ending to this story. My wonderful mother wanted that time together just as much as I did so she rearranged her weekend and we had a sweet time together.
Our Heavenly Father loves you and I so much; but He will not force us to draw nigh to him but he loves it when we do!. It is so easy to let the "Stuff of Life" get in the way of our walk with the Lord but we NEVER know what a day is going to bring our way.
Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
It is so important to draw nigh to God daily so when that storm, trial, or hard time comes (They will come); we are right there next to the Lord where he can wrap his loving arms around us and help us through the hard time. Drawing nigh to the Lord is not just for the hard times. It's also for those time of rejoicing! When you see the hand of God working in your life, ministry, or the lives of those in your life that you are praying for and investing in or you just want to sit a while and talk to Him and give Him the glory for just how good He is!
I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that loves us and wants us to draw nigh!!!!
Love in Christ,
Alison Higgason
Romans 8:28