Narrowing the God Gap
Political analysts have been discussing the upcoming elections. They say historically, most "God-seekers" have voted Republican, but currently Democratic hopefuls like Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton have been hosting "faith" rallies in order to "narrow the God gap". I hope they are truly people of faith are not simply capitializing on religion in order to get elected---a discussion perhaps left for a different time and place. I do however, really like the phrase, "narrowing the God gap", for I truly believe there is a gap but is between us and God and it has nothing at all to do with political affiliation.
Biblical history shows that at one time, mankind and God were close. God came to walk in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God spoke directly to His people. Sin came to drive a wedge between God and man, and as His people moved farther from Him, God worked to narrow that gap. He sent prophets to remind them they were His. He allowed pagan nations to defeat and capture His people, carrying them away from their place to worship, from their own people, to a place with strange food, strange customs, strange religions and strange languages. They were enslaved, captured and then, only then, God's people repented and the "God gap" began to narrow. But over and over again, mankind distanced themselves from God. And over and over again, God sought to draw us to Him.
I wonder why we continue to withdraw from our Father? Do you think we have become so sinful that we are uncomfortable in the proximity of holiness? Or perhaps we are too lazy to fulfill the obligations and make the changes required by a life of godliness? Maybe we have allowed selfish pursuits to cloud our vision so much that we are oblivious of the enlarging gap between us and God? Whatever the cause, I am convinced that the gap is our doing. God did not withdraw from us---remember "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) He desires a relationship with us. He wants us to want to be with Him. He loves us! In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His Son to bridge the gap between us and Him. His blood narrows the gap and brings us into the arms of the Father. From that point on, we have a choice how near or how far we choose to be from Him.
I saw this phrase on a church sign once: "If you and God are not as close as you used to be-----who moved?" The answer to this question is very simple! We know that God loves us and He longs to hold us in His arms, for us take shelter under His wing, to stand strong and courageous in the Rock that is His Son. His heart aches for a people who seek Him, who love His Word, who walk in His ways. He longs for children who desire to "narrow the God gap".
James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Peace
Neva
Biblical history shows that at one time, mankind and God were close. God came to walk in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God spoke directly to His people. Sin came to drive a wedge between God and man, and as His people moved farther from Him, God worked to narrow that gap. He sent prophets to remind them they were His. He allowed pagan nations to defeat and capture His people, carrying them away from their place to worship, from their own people, to a place with strange food, strange customs, strange religions and strange languages. They were enslaved, captured and then, only then, God's people repented and the "God gap" began to narrow. But over and over again, mankind distanced themselves from God. And over and over again, God sought to draw us to Him.
I wonder why we continue to withdraw from our Father? Do you think we have become so sinful that we are uncomfortable in the proximity of holiness? Or perhaps we are too lazy to fulfill the obligations and make the changes required by a life of godliness? Maybe we have allowed selfish pursuits to cloud our vision so much that we are oblivious of the enlarging gap between us and God? Whatever the cause, I am convinced that the gap is our doing. God did not withdraw from us---remember "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) He desires a relationship with us. He wants us to want to be with Him. He loves us! In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His Son to bridge the gap between us and Him. His blood narrows the gap and brings us into the arms of the Father. From that point on, we have a choice how near or how far we choose to be from Him.
I saw this phrase on a church sign once: "If you and God are not as close as you used to be-----who moved?" The answer to this question is very simple! We know that God loves us and He longs to hold us in His arms, for us take shelter under His wing, to stand strong and courageous in the Rock that is His Son. His heart aches for a people who seek Him, who love His Word, who walk in His ways. He longs for children who desire to "narrow the God gap".
James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Peace
Neva
posted by Neva | 7:30 AM
23 Comments:
I am so glad you are back blogging! I am sure I speak for all your readers when I say, "We missed you"--the days are just not the same without a visit to dancing in the light!
love
Pat
oh yeah, good post today too! :)
Glad your back as well. I love the post! It should make us all do a lot of self reflection. Blessings!
Neva,
Good morning.
I hope you are having a great day.
Great post. I am so glad that I serve a God who is willing to draw near to me and allows me to have that personal relationship with Him. I am so glad that the gap has been narrowed.Praise God. Again God post sister. I am glad to see you back posting again. God bless!
Missed ya!
I think it is very sad that we can't seem to keep the gap narrowed rather than always growing farther away from God.
Good post!
Jean
neva,
I echo the comments about missing you! You were gone forever!
This is a great post! I love the verse in James---it always gives me comfort and direction.
Carol
morning sis,
hope ya had a good day yesterday!
Awesome post!
huggs
Neva,
as always, your posts challenge me. I am also grateful for a God who narrows the gap and most grateful for the blood of the savior that bridges the gap.
Carlos
ps=welcome back!
I came to visit everyday and was sad that you had no new posts. I was worried about you and said a prayer. Is everything alright?
just wanted you to know---you have a friend out here in bloggyworld.
blessings
Georgia
I missed you, too. Just figured your life got busy like the rest of us. But I was glad to see a new post here. And such a timely one.
You are very good with words--I always leave here encouraged!
In Him
Corinne
Neva, the phrase "narrowing the God gap" is totally political. and I hate it. It is a phrase adopted by the media to bring to the attention of the public that the democrats have decided to make their religious convictions more public.Because the republicans have flaunted their "so called " religious superiority by openly claiming they are God's children and we democrats are not.
I wish the democrats would have stuck to keeping religion and politics apart, now there is where the gap should be. I believe this last republican administration has proven there is no difference in the ability of either brand of politician to commit moral sins. As for the "God Gap" I do believe Jesus Christ closed that gap. If my Lord and savior could not do it, I am sure there is no need for me to try. Jesus said "follow me" and that is what I try to do, there is no gap between Jesus and God. And I believe when I was baptized I was added to the body of Christ, so no gap there either. May God bless
I disagree a bit with Laymond--I think the post made it evident that Jesus' blood closed the gap and brought us near to God, however, there are many many NT scriptures that tell us we can move away from Him. It is only when we walk in the light that we still have access to the throne of heaven. The verse quoted plainly says "draw near to God and He will draw near to you"--the implication is that if you estrange yourself from Him, move away from Him, then there is indeed a gap and you must access the blood of Jesus in order to narrow it.
I also think the post was pretty clear that Neva wasn't talking politics at all, simply using one of their phrases to make a spiritual point.
Personally, I think it was a great post Neva, most of your readers understood exactly where you were coming from.
I am glad to see you posting again.
Interested Bystander
Welcome home, Neva!! As has been said, you were sorely missed!!!! AND, I echo the concern expressed for you and too pray all is well with you and yours!!
Great post, but then, what else is new in your corner of blogland? :)
The astounding this about this God-gap that man has brought about is God's heart. HE wants to close it and will take extraordinary measures to bring us back right next to Him again....how many would sacrifice their place on the Heavenly Throne for a bunch of ingrates? Jesus would and did! How many would allow/send His only begotten Son again to rescue a bunch of ingrates such as found in the human race? God would and did!! And yet, He asks so little of us....maybe because it's so simple many miss the point.
I do know that I've been among the ingrates and have experienced the Hound of Heaven dogging my steps, guiding me, cajoling me back into His fold. Extraordinary!!
Bless you, dear Neva for reminding us of that great Heavenly love, grace and mercy!
In Him,
Kathy
What a beautiful post!
We all need a reminder that any distance between us and God is of our doing not His.
Thank you, Neva--and like the others, I missed you too.
Love
Rachel
Neva,
I am still reading your posts and still praying for you and your son. Hope all is well in the Texas Panhandle,
Lyndsay
Neva,
I was worried that you had stopped blogging too. I am so glad to see you are back with the encourageing and uplifting posts. Thank you for this ministry. You are such a blessing to us all.
Mary
Dear Sweet Neva,
I also welcome you back to the blog world. Please don't let negative and argumentative comments run you away. Those type comments have already caused much damage in the blog circle.
I love your posts--all of them and I am so grateful that people like you and others seek to encourage readers with such uplifting words. Keep up the good work!
Jeneane
Great post--you never fail your faithful readers. Thanks for another challenging thought, we would expect nothing less.
Dan
Glad to see you back--missed your posts
love
Mary
Just wanted to greet you. Praying for you
AMEN! to Jeneane's comments. Maybe a reprise of your "Vandalism" entry would be appropriate. Maybe?? We love you and have your back, dear Neva.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I was not discouraged nor even on a blogging break---just having computer problems. I had several posts in the queue that would post and then disappear. My dear sweet husband worked on my computer and I think, hope, it is all better. I appreciate yall so much and it touches my heart that you missed me. Yall are so great!!! Thanks for being my friends.
Hope your worship today is amazing!
love
neva
ps--the computer was also not letting me post on other sites--I was still reading just couldn't comment.
I should copy that "who moved" question and pin it to my wall, to have myself reminded to that...
Thanks, Helen
I have your back, too!
:)
love ya
Kel
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