Gap
There are times a gap is good and there are times when it’s not good. For example, a gap in the trim has to be filled with caulk. A proper gap between me and the car in front of me is good, especially if he stops quickly. I sometimes feel like there are “gaps” in relationships. If I haven’t seen someone in a while, the gap between us seems to widen. There are other times when I’ve gotten crossways with a friend, a gap gives enough space for some of the emotion to settle down so that common sense and the depth of friendship prevails.
In the Old Testament there was a gap between God and His people. It was made obvious due to the reverence shown to the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The people didn’t always manage that gap well. They sometimes turned to idols made from stuff that God created. I’m responsible for creating gaps between me and the Lord. It’s my selfish desires and wants that create the gaps. My behavior is my choice and it can create a massive gap between me and God.
The people of God are about to cross the Jordan and take the land promised to them by God many years before. Moses has passed and Joshua is leading. Check this out….
2 Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, 3 giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. 4 Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.” (Joshua 3:2-4 NLT)
One of the things that I’m so grateful for Jesus coming to earth is that He took out the gap between me and God. I no longer have to go through a man of God, I can go directly to the Lord God with my prayers, petitions seeking guidance. If there is a gap between me and God – it’s on me. The Lord desires a deep and consistent relationship with me. I don’t like gaps in my relationships. I try to keep up with the daily lives of my kids even though they don’t live at home. I believe the Lord wants me to talk with Him about EVERYTHING and worry about NOTHING! I believe the Lord wants to know about my daily life too.
I want to close any gap between me and the Lord today but coming before Him with a humble heart seeking His heart. I want to trust Him with every area of my life, even if others think I’m crazy. I want to trust Him with the smallest (seemingly trivial) details to the biggest decisions. I don’t want a big gap between my daily life and the Presence of God in me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne