By KEN LETSON / Guest Columnist

I remember hearing an old “preacher story” when I was younger that has stuck with me over the years, however corny it may have been. I came across a version of it recently and was reminded of its simple truth.

An older married couple was driving down the road in their old pick-up truck. The wife turned to the husband and said, “What’s happened with us?”

“What do you mean?” the husband asked.

She said, “We’re not like we used to be.”

“How did we used to be?” the husband asked.

“We were closer. More connected. We held hands all the time. In fact, here’s a perfect example right now. Remember back when we’d get in this old truck, and we’d sit right next to each other real close?”

The husband looked at her, and looked at the seat of his truck, and the room between them on the bench seat. He looked down at where he was sitting, in the driver’s seat, and then looked back across the front seat at her one more time.

Then he asked, “Who moved?”

The story has an obvious spiritual application. If you’re not as close to God as you used to be, who moved? I’ll give you a hint. It wasn’t Him. And the solution is just as simple: If you want to get back to where you were, you need to move in His direction.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).

That’s a calling, and a promise. It isn’t a one-time event, but a lifestyle.

The first time, and every time, you draw near to God, He draws near to you. In fact, the exciting part about the whole process is that the one we would pursue is already (and always) pursuing us.

Try it today. Move toward Him.

Turn off the TV and take a few minutes to read His Word.  Step away from life’s distractions and sit in His presence. Stop for a moment and sing a praise song or hymn, and make the words your prayer.

As you take steps in His direction, He takes steps in yours.

If you want to get closer to God, it’s your move.

 

The Rev. Ken Letson is pastor of The Church at Shelby Crossings. You can reach him at kenletson@shelbycrossings.com.