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God is Closer Than You Think A few months ago I came across a book which I found totally absorbing. It is entitled “God is closer than you think”. Its an extremely readable book of only 190 pages, published by Zondervan, and its author John Ortberg has an incredible way of breathing life and interest into an extremely important subject! The book poses the question – “ Is God at all interested in us” - and if He is, then How close ,REALLY does God want to get to us! So I want to acknowledge, right at the outset, in what I have to share with you, that I am indebted to John Ortberg for the fascinating way in which he looks at this matter. John begins his book by taking us to the Sistine Chapel , in the Vatican palace. Some of you have been there! - And you would have gazed in wonder as you looked around and above you at some of the greatest art ever produced in the Western world. On the ceiling, some 85 feet above, are the Biblical stories of the Creation of the world, the fall of humanity, the flood, and many other scenes from the old Testament. It took Michaelangelo four and a half years to complete the painting of that ceiling, alone. And close to the centre of that ceiling is what is traditionally called “The Creation of Adam”, but art scholars say it should be called “The Endowment of Adam”. You see, Adam has already been given physical life! – his eyes are open, he is conscious, he is reclining, his arm is extended. But what is happening in the picture is that he is being offered life with God. It seems that one of the messages that Michaelangelo wanted to convey is God’s focused determination to reach out and to be with the person He created. So in the fresco, God is stretching, reaching out toward Adam! God’s eyes are intense and compassionate, directed towards Adam, and nothing diverts his attention. God’s hand and outstretched finger is within almost a hair-breadth of touching Adam, but having come that close, he chooses to allow just a little space, so that Adam can choose! God waits for Adam to make his move. But when we look at the figure of Adam, we find it more difficult to interpret. It’s rather difficult to decide whether Adam is really interested in God or not. His body reclines in a very laid-back, lazy pose, His arm is weakly outstretched, resting on his bent knee, as if he has very little interest at all. Perhaps Adam just assumes that God will close the gap; perhaps he is indifferent to the possibility of touching his creator. Yet all Adam has to do to make that connection, is merely to stretch a finger! Now this picture reminds us : God is closer than we think! So close! No matter where we are or who we are; and regardless of our personal condition or circumstances – God is only a hair breadth away! What better day to be reminded of that, than on this Christmas Day! He is never further than a prayer away! For this, really, is what Christmas is all about! That God is closer than we think! He is never further than a prayer away! All it takes is the barest effort, like the lift of a finger – and we can connect with the divine creator. God is present - here in this very church; he is present at home with you the reader – wherever you are - in your very room! That great painting of Michaelangelo summarizes the whole story of the Bible! – that it’s not primarily about the desire of people to be with God! ; it’s the desire, first and foremost of God to be with people, to be with YOU! - In the same way that you as parents just love to be with your children! Now I know for a fact that some of you , who are parishioners here in Devonport, have screensavers on your computers ,of your families and children. You never tire of seeing their faces.- that’s why you’ve put them there. You might look at your computer screen 100 times a day, but each time your computer wakes up or boots up,- there it is again,- your children are there - and you just love to see them! And you love to see them not because your child or children has impressive achievements, or some superior skills, but it is simply that you look at them through the eyes of a father or mother. Everything your children do is cloaked with wonder. You cant wait for work to finish to get home to be with them again. So God, in this amazing fresco, accompanied by chubby angels, rushing through the clouds, hair blown back by the speed, determines to be at home with his child. He didn’t simply want to love his son from a distance. He wanted to be with him. You and I are that child on God’s screensaver. You and I are Adam in that fresco. The tiniest details of our lives never grow old to him. You know, the most frequent promise of the Bible is “I will be with you”. It is not “I will forgive you”, although that promise is wonderfully there. It is not the promise of life after death, although we are offered that as well! The most frequent promise from God in the Bible is “I will be with you” God is closer than you think! When God himself, in Jesus Christ, came to earth on that first Christmas Day, the name he took was Immanuel, - meaning – God with us. The central fact of all our Christmas celebrations this day around the world is that we now know for a certainty that God IS with us. We don’t just have a Word on a printed page in the Bible that tells us that God is with us! We have the historic event of the birth of Jesus, in a small town called Bethlehem – that shows us that “God is here with us”. Now, in the Baby of Bethlehem, God has taken the plunge into this world and actually come among us. The Bible says “the Word became a human being .. and dwelt among us”, and so, on that first Christmas day God entered this world, was wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger. The mighty Creator stooped to take the lowest place and for 33 years came and lived among us. If God is that close – then he is with us, where we are,- where you are; All it takes is for us to make the slightest movement in God’s direction and we will discover his touch. So now, I invite you to be aware that the presence and love of God is here, and there, with you - closer to you than you think, and that His love is present to touch you this Christmas day. Why not welcome and receive God’s touch on your life this Christmas Day? |
