Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus invites you closer to Him by saying, “Come to Me.” What is your response? Knowing His love, is your answer immediately yes, out of longing to be with Him, or are there barriers?
Some barriers are internal; others are external. Internal barriers can surface from what we believe about ourselves or God; external ones from what we prioritize or postpone.
Internal barriers often take the form of thoughts about our own unworthiness. They sound like, “I will never be good enough, so I couldn’t possibly say yes.” Sometimes the hindrance is grief or disappointment from outcomes we didn’t choose or understand. And sometimes, the barrier is numbness—you feel too tired, overwhelmed, or shut down to respond.
External barriers are also common. Responsibilities, distractions, and habits crowd out both our willingness and our sense of ability to respond. This sounds like, “Yes, Jesus—but this other thing first,” or, “I can’t get ahead of these tasks; I’m too overloaded to walk closely with Him in this season.”
Jesus addressed this directly. He told a parable of a master who prepared a wedding feast, and those invited used business, farming, and marriage as reasons to say “no.” The master then sends his servants out to bring in anyone else they could find, saying, “Compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23)
Whatever objections come to mind can keep our attention on ourselves rather than on Christ, and we miss an opportunity to both receive His help and enjoy His presence.
For a moment, can you set aside the thoughts that prevent you from approaching Him? God demonstrated His love for you in this: while you were still in sin, Christ died for you. Christ died for you. Allow that truth to answer every hesitation.
You do not have to manufacture desire, clarity, or emotion to come to Him. God knows our weakness and still invites us closer where He offers His mercy, His compassion, and Himself. Drawing near may look like nothing more than showing up and letting Him be near to you. Sometimes, it is a matter of suspending objections to say yes. When you do, you meet mercy and grace to help you right where you are, and find yourself in His presence.
Hebrews 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
The very things that make us hesitate to come (sin, weakness, busyness, numbness) are the reasons mercy and grace are offered in the first place. Approach God with confidence in Christ Jesus, not because you have capacity, feel worthy, or are emotionally engaged, but because He is merciful. You receive mercy for what has been done, grace to help you, and His presence to satisfy your soul. (Psalm 63:5)
He has done the work through Christ to close every gap between you and Him. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39). Draw near to Him, because He is good.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that I can approach You now. You made the way for me to draw near. I confess that I have allowed barriers, internal and external, to come between us. Thank you that busyness, unworthiness, or numbness, cannot keep me from You. As I come, meet me with Your mercy, and give me the grace and strength I need. My soul is satisfied in You.
Joseph & Julie Porter
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