I keep thinking about the 2019 New Year’s resolution that our young worship leader made. From onstage he told us: “This year my goal is to get closer to God. I just wanna get so close to him that he’ll have to say, ‘Man, you gettin’ on mah nerves!’”
Everyone loved it! And I couldn’t help picturing an adorable toddler who wants to keep playing with Daddy. The child loves Daddy, and Daddy loves the child. But Daddy finally has to shoo the little pest away: “OK, that’s enough, baby … C’mon, uh … Go play with your toys now … No, really … Daddy means it …”
Of course, even if God were the type of father whose nerves reach their limit when we stick too close for too long, I can’t imagine that any of us are as persistent/intentional about being with God as a toddler is with Daddy.
But maybe we should try. Consider these Scriptures:
- “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
- Psalm 62:7 says that God “is my mighty rock.”
The psalms speak of our being strong because of such closeness—
- “Because [the Lord] is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8)
- “It is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.” (Psalm 73:28)
Mm-hmm. He’s a good, good Father. And there’s no such thing as getting too close.
So good!