Making our approach...

I’m not sure if I’ve heard a real airplane captain say it or if it is just a movie I remember. When it gets time to land the airplane, the voice comes over the speaker announcing “Ladies and gentlemen, we are making our approach”.

　

　

There is a promise from scripture familiar to many of us, “ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”(James 4:8 NASB)

That promise assures me that when I approach God, He approaches me. The airport doesn’t rise up and meet me. The prodigal son’s father didn’t wait on the porch, he ran out to meet his returning son. And God doesn’t watch and wait as I stumble and climb, trying to get to Him.

There’s much more information in that passage though, instructional advice about our approaching God.

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”(James 4:8-10 NASB)
If I truly intend to approach God, I am admonished to “ Say a quiet yes to God….. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. “(James 4:8-10 The Message)

　

It is not all up to me. I’ll never clean up my life, get rid of the sin, and live a perfect life. I’ll never achieve the removal of the sin that all we humans share. He knows that, even if I don’t know just how true it is.

I am to become humbled and submitted to His authority, putting His will above my own. I am to resist the temptation to do what He says is wrong.

I will never be more than what He will raise me up to be. I will never attain any status or accumulate any credential that will elevate my status more than being His child.

Me, approached and exalted by the Creator of the universe. 


Hallelujah.