In our church, we are doing a series called “Believe.” This week we are pondering the fact that although our God is the Almighty, the Creator, the Ruler of all, he is also intimately involved in and concerned with every detail of our lives. It can be hard to wrap our minds around a God who is so big yet willing to be so close. Consequently, I’ve been thinking about some of the things that we think may keep God from coming near us.

Perhaps we think we need to clean up our act before God would be interested in us. Do good. Be good. Even though I know in my head that I can never win or lose God’s love, I sometimes act like it’s all up to me. I may be, if I’m honest with myself, a bit of a perfectionist. Because this is so, my sister recommended a book to me called, “The Spirituality of Imperfection.” It has helped me gain a new perspective on my desire to be perfect (cuz that ain’t gonna happen.) Imperfection, it says, is a crack in the armor, so to speak–a “wound” that lets God in. Our imperfections don’t push God away but rather draw him closer. For one thing, they help us to remember we are not in control here.

I like this illustration that the book uses: “God in heaven holds each person by a string. When you sin, you cut the string. Then God ties it up again, making a knot–and thereby bringing you a little closer to him. Again and again your sins cut the string–and with each further knot God keeps drawing you closer and closer.”

Perhaps we think our messiness keeps God from wanting to get too close, but he’s right there, in the midst of our messiness, drawing us nearer to him every time we fall short. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel much better!

Being Human connection: God is closer to sinners who admit they are such than to saints who pride themselves on their virtue.