Come closer. Draw nearer. Those are inviting words to a person like me.
 
I am quite relational. I enjoy building relationships with people and getting to know them better. I think personal space should be respected but I do enjoy close proximity.
 
When this Ministry Tool known as our church building was built, everything took place on the platform. Just under three feet high, it has stairs across the front which give it an approachable look and feel.
 
Despite the stairs, I found that I longed to be nearer to people when I was preaching. I felt like I was preaching from a perch. I felt relationally separated from the people on the floor by the physical distance and the height.
 
We made a change by adding the smaller platform. Perry Lee designed and created the lower platform which is slightly above floor level and feels like it is with the people on the floor. That is the place from where I currently preach.
 
I like the nearness. I tend to feed off of the energy of our church family gathered. I like to look people in the eye. I like to see how the Spirit is moving people. You might say it fits my style.
 
We are in the Advent Season, a time when God made His invitation clear, “Draw nearer, come closer.” Jesus took on humanity as fully God and fully man. He dwelt among humanity and we became acquainted with grace and truth.
 
Our Advent celebration is a time when we look back to the first arrival of Jesus and look ahead to His return. We have chosen to observe Advent in our worship gathering with scriptural readings and symbolic candles.
 
God has a desire to be near to us. Likewise, He has put in us a desire to be near to Him. We see such yearning in the psalmist.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1

A deer panting for water mirrors the spiritual thirst of the psalmist for intimacy with God. At this time of year, we are reminded of the shepherds yearning to see the Christ child. The wise men came from afar because they wanted to draw near. In us, there is a deep longing for nearness and intimacy with the living God. 

Advent is a time for you to awaken your longing for God. Advent is a time to celebrate that our longing for God is ultimately satisfied in the person of Jesus Christ.
 
Choose to take moments to worship this season. You may choose to worship in your car, in a line, before you start your day or instead of getting on social media. Offer a brief word of thanks or praise. Meditate on a verse of Scripture. Hum a praise song or Christmas carol. Enjoy the presence of Jesus by recognizing Him—even for a minute or two.
 
Spread these moments throughout the day and you will awaken your longing to draw near. You will discover that you enjoy Jesus, recognize His work, and better understand Him. Drawing near fits His style. You might find that drawing near fits your style.
 
May your longing to come closer to Jesus find its proper fulfillment in Jesus this season.

Love and blessings,
Dave