Distant is purely a relational word.

I can be distant from you geographically, but not emotionally.

I can sit next to you in church but keep myself emotionally distant for as long as we know each other. This distance is a result of perception.

Almost 7 years ago my husband, youngest child, and I were called by God to be distant from our Midwestern family and friends so that we could minister to a young church in the East Coast. But I’ll let you know that whenever we go back “home,” we resume the relationships without missing a beat.

Why? Because our love for each other erases the space between us.

Spatially we are light years away from God, but in actuality, He is with us right now. Why? Because of His great love.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

This truth can keep me closer to someone on the other side of the world than my neighbor next door.

 2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it…. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

God is the proximity we need to hold us close and keep us together.

His Presence erases the time and space between us.
 
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I set the timer for my tea
That’s the time to write the post you see.
One word spurs ideas, musings, and imaginings…
The stuff of which writers are made.

If you’d like to read more posts on the word “distant,” check out the Five Minute Friday Link-up

If my heart isn’t into a thing, you can tell.

I can easily say that I will do something without the excitement required. I’ll respond in the affirmative, without that perceptible smile in my voice. My yes escapes my lips in a low, long sigh.

Well, peachy. That’s mine for the day.

I looked up the definition of this word and found that there is an underlying agreeableness with gladness that accompanies the attitude of being willing. A release of qualifiers that might, at any moment, retract my acquiescence and call up my right to change my mind and pronounce a resounding NO to the request.

I am ashamed that this is all too often NOT my response to God. He kindly asks if I am willing to follow Him, and I grit my teeth hissing yes. He gently inquires if I love Him more than life itself, and I choke out an indistinguishable yes.

Why is this so hard?

I dig in to my right of permission. It’s not freely given, to anyone.

But the ONLY one who has shown Himself to be faithful and true EVERY time, is God. He alone is deserving of my wholehearted and resounding YES!

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Only God can bring the smile to my spirit. In the light of His salvation can I find sustenance for joyful obedience.   

May I challenge you, as I have challenged myself, to seek a heart that is pleasing to God? Pursuing His delight above our own results in blessing for all. 


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This post is brought to you by the Five Minute Friday Link-up. A weekly challenge goes out in this writer's community by our fearless leader, Kate Motaung. We then write for five minutes ( maybe more) and share our offerings with the world. You are invited to come along!