That Was Too Close for Comfort!

Complete Trust – Experiencing God’s love replaces fear and insecurity with growing faith and confidence in Him.

My wife just got tested today for Coronavirus in preparation for a medical procedure.  The medical team was super-efficient as we drove through the testing tent site.  Each of us had on our mask (mandatory), and the swabbing was uncomfortable, to say the least. Afterward, I had a video conference with ministry friends in Mexico, where the virus is still spreading.  They have to wear masks any time they leave home.  Keeping our “social distance” has become very familiar with people around the world, hasn’t it?

I would like to suggest that we learn to pay as much or more attention to keeping a “spiritual distance” away from “gods” in our life that aren’t God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These false gods are like the virus – hidden, strategic, and potentially deadly.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.  The idea of meekness is closely akin to the yielding a horse does to its rider, or at least the yielding it is supposed to do. When a horse is “meeked”, it submits its strength and instincts to the will of the rider.  We as followers of Christ Jesus are to meek ourselves to God’s control, basically handing Jesus the reins of our life.  We submit to the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit, knowing that God keeps His promises.  In Matthew 5:5, Jesus told us the promise: “We shall inherit the earth.”  

So, what “god” or “gods” hold the reins in your life?  To which god do you submit control?  What is the “win” in following the god in your life? I know how easily a “god of this world” can hold powerful influence and control.  One very powerful “god” is the god of acceptance, and the “win” we look for is to be loved, liked, or known.  We don’t want to be alone.   We want a great relationship….at least one.  Have you ever been “way to close for comfort” when pursuing a false god, to the point where you were about to lose a relationship, your health, or your life?  I have and it is frightening.  I urge you to move in close to Jesus in prayer and meditate on God’s Word.  Being close to Him brings safety and blessing.  Being close, too close, to others gods brings fear and, too often, painful consequences.

So look over these questions and see if answering them is helpful to you or others:

1.  In  what ways do people you know try to find acceptance or approval in order to have friends or a relationship?  What ways have you tried?
2. How effective are these means to an end for others you have observed?  Did they find meaningful, lasting relationships?  How did your attempts work out?
3. Have you discovered and submitted to God, the Father, Who loves you and wants you to be with Him so much  that He sent His Son to make it possible to be forgiven and become a member of His forever family?  Would you consider spiritually distancing from the “gods” of your past that have left you alone and hurt and would you discover the freedom and blessings that are waiting for those of us who turn over control to Jesus, handing the reins to Him to guide our lives?