By: Elizabeth Haarberg

His Heart

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

I woke up with a song “Closer” on my mind. I love this song! And this isn’t a post about being critical about a worship song. This is a question I have about my relationship with Jesus.

The chorus is “Jesus draw me closer to your heart.”

My question is, does Jesus need to come closer? Does he ever go very far? Is it I who puts distance between us? The song is so lovely and the lyrics are fantastic.

I need your love like I need water

And I need your love like I need breath inside my lungs

Burn in my heart just like a fire, come and take me over

What I do know is God will never leave us, and he is always close.

“He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 English Standard Version

“He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 English Standard Version

“Fear not, for I am with you.”
Isaiah 41:10 English Standard Version

If there is anyone in the relationship that needs to work on closeness, it is I. I forget that I have strength, peace, love, and more at my fingertips, and all I have to do is ask. God wants us to draw close to Him more than anything. The Bible is full of promises of God just wanting to be close to us. We are the ones who push Him away. I don’t know of any story in the Bible that talks about God deserting people. Even in the wilderness, God gave people instructions on how to move and survive and even thrive.

Back to the original thought, which is how to get closer to God. I put the responsibility on myself. He doesn’t move or change. I am the the one who forgets and tries to accomplish things in my strength and gets overwhelmed with the tasks in front of me.

So, today I surrender my agenda, my plans, my to-do list, my children, and my chores to Him. He is always ready for me to draw closer to Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado