God Is Closer Than You Think

One of the authors I really enjoy is John Ortberg. He has written a number of popular titles that help stir our hearts toward a deeper walk with the Lord. My favorites are: God Is Closer Than You Think, If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, and The Life You've Always Wanted.

The event that triggered Christmas as we know it today, was a far different thing from what we see in the culture around us. We know from several passages in the Old Testament that God had appeared and spoken to men in various ways and situations. Adam, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses were receipients of some of God's earthly visitations, and connections personally with man. The burning bush, Moses' staff, the pillars of fire and cloud, were all evidence, as Ortberg says, that God was keeping His promise to "be with" His people.

It is interesting to me to visit a friend's town or subdivision, and almost without fail, the host will point out a home or business where a noted citizen lives or works. In Bethlehem, God didn't drop by for a visit... He moved into the neighborhood!!!

Jesus grew and ministered, and then came to a point where he basically said, "I need to go, so that SomeOne even better can come". Stunning was the news to those who had walked, witnessed miracles, and camped out with Him for 3 years. They had already decided, and stated their loyalty, "to whom else shall we go?" And now Jesus was definitely leaving, and promising SomeOne Else was on the way.

When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. That's God getting pretty close!! Too often we ask for God to "be with us"... when He covered that request 2,000 years ago!! Let us live believing that His every attempt to get as close to us as possible - has been fulfilled in our individual salvation - and just ask Him to live out Himself through us. Immanuel in Action!