Simple, But Not Easy

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8 (NIV)

"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet." James 4:7-10 (The Message)

Insight

I think coming near to God is simpler than we think. I don't say it's easier because I don't think it is easy to approach the one true living God that we get the privilege to come near, but I do think it is simple. Simple tells us that the situation is uncomplicated and straightforward. Easy would imply that it is not hard to draw near to him. 

I think it is difficult to process that we get to be near our God, that we get to be in communion with Him, in close contact, and that we are called to be near Him. I think it is simple like this Scripture shows us, "Come near to God and he will come near to you," or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased it, "Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time." It is simple because all that we have to do is turn to Him or say a "quiet yes," but it is challenging because when we do, all the baggage we carry has to be set down and placed in someone else's hands, and we think it is too much to handle. It means that when we come face to face with God, our sin sits right there on the table in front of us. This is very much the "Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out," part that Peterson refers to in The Message translation.

There is a dialogue that the Lord gives me as I process this idea. 

God: "What should we do with this?" 

(We both pause and look at my sin sitting on the table between us.)

Me: "Probably get rid of it. It keeps me from you, it works hard at silencing my voice and my memory of the Kind father you are." 

God: "Will you let me have it?"

Me: "You will just take it? It's a lot. I don't have to do anything?"

God: "Yes, I know it's a lot, but it is not too much for me. You do have to do one thing for me to take it."

Me: "What is it?"

God: "Well, you must surrender it to me, and you must trust me. Trust that I have more for you than this sin that tries to fill you but never will."

Me: "All I have to do is trust?"

God: "Trust and follow. I don't require much more of you."

Me: "It's that simple? Are you sure you want to take this from me?"

God: "It is that simple; I'm sure I want to take this if you would let me have it." 

Me: "Why is it so hard for me to hand it over?"

God: "Because it has entered your heart, but it was never meant to be there. Trusting me with this requires us to purify your heart."

Me: "Well, what does that look like? That sounds painful."

God: "It is not, trust me. No pain comes from me here. I've gone through the worst of all pain so that I could take this sin from you."

Me: "I remember the pain you went through."

God: "This purifying of your heart is just trusting me and following me. It isn't easy to do when the world tries to lead you another way, but the world didn't make and design you. I know what your heart is supposed to look like, and the closer you are to me, the more it will be revealed to you. I know how hard it is to trust, but I know the reward in it."

Me: "Then I will trust you. I want nothing more than for my heart to go back to the way you created it."

God: "I am glad! Let's go for a walk."

Me: "Wait, what about my sin? Is it just gonna sit here?"

God: "What sin?" 

(I look back at the table, and my sin is nowhere in sight.)

Me: "Where'd it go?"

God: "Where it belongs, in the ground, buried." 

Me: "My heart is clean?"

God: "I won't let you up from this table if it wasn't." 

Reflection

• What keeps you from drawing near to God, and are you willing to surrender that to Him today?

Prayer

Lord, help us to see You right now. Help us see Your kindness, love, and mercy, as well as Your desire to purify our hearts. Let us remember that everything we do flows from our walk with You. Help us to move closer to You and trust You more. We know that when we trust You, You reveal to us more of Your heart and ours. You purify, and You restore. Please give us the strength to trust You with our hearts today. Amen. 

Port City writer Sam Slezak wrote today's devotional.