Ephesians 2:13 ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Okay, so admit it.  There are some times where you feel incredibly distant from God.  He does not feel like a loving Father, but some distant Creator, who spun the world into motion and retreated to watch you flounder around trying to figure it all out.

Of course, those times are permanent for those who are outside the kingdom of Christ. If you have never entered into the initial relationship with Him, you continually feel like that.  He is there, but the barrier of separation keeps you from connecting at heart level with His love and graciousness and compassionate involvement.

For those that are in relationship with Christ, there are still times we do not feel near.  So the words of instruction here are for us.  You need to draw near.  You need to take active steps to realize the relationship.

Over some time my wife and I took a trip through Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Kansas.  During that time, we would read scripture aloud, pray aloud, and talk with God and with each other.  We drew near.  Busyness takes us away from those closest.  The refreshing invigoration of our closeness with each other and with the Father is important.  Even though we have been married for over 30 years, we can lose the nearness.  Event though I have been connected with Christ to the family of God for over 30 years, the closeness can feel distant.  Draw near.

Health is stimulated with closeness.  Studies abound that tell us a healthy long-term marriage will go through testing times.  Yet, the ones that hold and develop closeness tend to live longer and happier lives all around.  On the other hand, an unhappy and divisive relationship will shorten our lifespan on earth.

Health is stimulated with closeness to our Father.  Spending time with Him with honest and open communication brings healing to our emotions, thoughts, plans, actions, bodies, and relationships.  We must draw near.

The way is open in Christ through His sacrifice.  Yes, that bloody event of His suffering brought a peace for us with God.  We who were separated by the chasm of a disconnected relationship (sin), became bridged and adopted into a close family tie.  Jesus prayed right before the big event, “Father, let them be one even as we are one.”  His focus was to draw us into an intimate relationship with the Godhead as close as His.  Wow….

No sin, no sickness, no disease, no poverty, no depression, no lack can exist when we are near to the heart of God.  Nothing matters but that relationship.  His presence dissipates  the problems and gets us focused.  Our thoughts become established and focused and sure.  Our actions and words move from the direction of our changed heart.       Our changed heart happens when we draw near to Him.

Be whole.  Be well.  Draw near.

http://youtu.be/QVntGJELnB4 — 3 minute live prayer