Draw Near

We all have places of comfort.  One of Mr. Bill’s comfort zones is when he is shore-fishing although the time he spends restringing reels and getting all his stuff together … well, just tires me out!

 

Our relationship with The Father is always threatened by idleness.  To be idle is to be still, at leisure, or unoccupied, which is great on vacation but [spiritually speaking] it’s certain destruction.  In Matthew 2:1-2, I find the acts of the “wise men” amazing: they were not given to idleness!  Watching the heavens seems to have been what they faithfully did and when “His Star” appeared, they hit the road!  We don’t know how many men there were or even their mode of transportation, but we know this: His Star drew them to worship The Messiah.  The real danger of this Season (and life in general) is Believers become idle star-gazers.  There are so many distractions: shopping, decorating, cooking, music, twinkling lights.  When we become spiritually idle, the result is spiritual leanness.  Just like His Star drew those wise men from their routine, The Father draws us through His Word and by the power of His Spirit; our duty then is to hear and respond submissively.  The wise men’s journey didn’t end at Bethlehem; no, it took on new direction and dimension – their lives were never the same.  They’d been in the Presence of The King!  Yes, Mr. Bill understands all the work involved but it’s worth it just to stand there at the water’s edge.   I challenge us all to endeavor to persevere in simple obedience to Christ and suffer not the mind and spirit.  Rather, be delivered to a place where we are ever-changing.  Do not be idle – draw near to Christ!