Near to God

Do you ever get homesick? Maybe you’ve been on the road and you’re yearning for home so you can rest your head at the end of a long journey. Or perhaps you’ve been looking for a space that feels so comfortable that you can finally let your guard down. Or could it be you’ve been scared or vulnerable and all you want is some place where peace reigns and safety and security rule?

Near to God is such a place.

It is a place Christians can call home because certainly we feel like aliens and strangers on this earth. Near to God is a space where we can take comfort in knowing that we are fully known and yet there is no judgment for the shortcomings we have. It is a place where we experience the rest and peace of God –we can dwell with absolute safety and security because God tells us that He is our refuge in times of trouble.

I always enjoyed watching the show Cheers! but it was more for the opening song and less, I suppose, because the plot was excellent or the acting was believable. The theme song touched a sentiment of comfort for the weary:

“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows Your name.”

Being near to God is better than that. He knows our names, intimate details of how many hairs are on our head, and moreover, He knows our hearts.

Being Near to God is comfort food for the soul.