I ran across a verse this morning in my Bible reading that grabbed my heart and hasn’t let go all day. Isaiah 30:18 says:
The Lord waits to be gracious to you, and he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
It caused me to reflect on things that keep me (and you) away from God.
- We stay away because we think we are too sinful, and we stay away because we don’t realize how sinful we are.
- We stay away because we have not achieved enough, and we stay away because we have achieved so much.
- We stay away because we are insecure in our failure, and we stay away because we are secure in our success.
- We stay away because we are lonely, and we stay away because we are surrounded by people.
- We stay away because we are insignificant, and we stay away because we are significant.
- We stay away because of our self-doubt, and we stay away because of our self-confidence.
- We stay away because of weakness and strength, sorrow and joy, shame and glory.
All these things keep us away from God. Needlessly. The Gospel says that nothing stands in our way; Jesus has taken it all.
Whatever it is that keeps you away…let it go. Now.
Let nothing keep you away from Jesus.
He waits to be gracious to you. He stands at attention in his readiness to show mercy to you.
Let nothing keep you away.
-jdl
Jeff D. Lawrence ⎮ Blog 