Draw Near to God
Jesus has given peace and contentment to individuals amid all types of adversities in all ages. There has never been a person who didn’t need a spiritual keel to give them balance, a rudder to guide them, and a sail to empower them. As these items are to a ship so He is to a life. The closer you are to Him you will find out how close He is to you. The closer you are to Him the more He draws you even closer and the more pure your life is by His standard.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4: 8).
Nestled in the mountains of North Carolina near the little town of Old Fort is a cradle of beauty called Catawba Falls. Let’s go there.
As you turn off the interstate highway onto a narrow asphalt road you drive only a short distance before the road turns to gravel. As it does you slow to cross a wooden bridge. You are struck by the unpleasant odor caused by the stream. The waters are brackish and obviously polluted.
Park now and let’s start our walk which soon turns into a climb. After crossing the field and entering the woods you wade a creek. The water is cold and unfortunately contaminated. Soon you see an old mill with its waste material being released into the stream. Along the trail you see where campers have discarded debris into the creek. Now the memorable climb begins. You pull your way up by roots and rocks. The climb is strenuous and requires a number of stops. Even from a distance you can hear the sound of cascading water.
Finally, you work your way beneath a rock outcropping and a canopy of rhododendrons. As you straighten up your face is sprayed with the cool mist of Catawba Falls. The air is cool and fresh. The sunlight breaks the water droplets into a mist and turns on their rainbow of colors. The pool at the base is too inviting. Off come the shoes and up go the pants legs. It’s time for a splash in the water. Enjoy!
Soon, always too soon, it’s time to go back. You retrace your route beside burnt out campfires and the old mill. In your car you once again cross that stinky little stream. Then it dawns on you. That is the same water that only a short time ago cascaded over Catawba Falls in its crystalline purity and beauty. The further it got from the falls the more polluted it became.
The same principle applies to our lives. The closer we are to our Source, the Lord Jesus Christ, the purer our lives. The further we get from Him, the more pollutants our lives pick-up. Is He so cherishable to you that you want to be close to Him?
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145: 18).