Up Close & Personal

I see myself as a fairly warm and engaging person. I will speak when spoken too and I will often initiate the conversation if I’m acquainted with you. I won’t get into your personal space though – that has always been weird to me. I’ve had people over the years that get a little too close when simply having a conversation. Seinfeld labeled this person the “close talker”. The only time I’m comfortable with the close talker is when they are whispering a secret and others are nearby. Otherwise there is a three – five foot space where most conversation are comfortable. The other issue with a “close talker” is the bad breath issue. I’m always concerned that my breath is going to knock them down if they are too close.

In the Old Testament, the Lord only allowed Moses to come near Him for conversation. Moses would write down everything the Lord said and then speak to the people. Check this out….

1Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.’

3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do.’ 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. (Exodus 23:1-4 NIV)

When God sent His Son Jesus to earth, we all were given the privilege to be “close talkers” with God. I don’t have to go through the high priest to speak with the Lord. I can go directly to Him. In fact, He loves conversations with me. I’ve welcomed the Lord as a “close-talker” in my life. He can speak directly to me and there are no secrets that He’s unaware. I’m not worried about bad breath issues with the Lord. He wants deep conversation that is up-close and personal with me. When Jesus died on the cross, the conversation with God and His people changed forever. The veil in the temple that separated the most holy place was torn and that place was forever accessible to God’s people not just the leaders. I serve a God Who wants to be “in my space” and He wants me to be “in His space”. I’m thankful that He knows me deeply and intimately and loves me still.

Pressing On!

Dwayne