Near to God

​What is your favorite vending machine snack? Mine would be a Snickers every time. Have you ever had that moment when you paid for something, hit the button, then your snack got stuck? There’s nothing worse than holding up your end of the deal, but then not getting the thing that you expect in return. But if you think about it, there are actually a lot of situations in life that happen like this. You do your part and take the right steps, but things don’t go the way you expect. I realized that sometimes when we are praying to God, we treat God just like a vending machine. Have you ever put yourself out there and prayed about things in your life—but the prayer isn’t answered? How does that make you feel? Do you start to doubt God or yourself? Chances are none of your other friendships function like a vending machine. You don’t only talk to your friends if you want something. You don’t blame your friends if you’re struggling in a class or with a teacher. God wants to be our friend and wants a relationship with us. So we have to talk to God like a friend and not like a vending machine. Psalm 145:18 states: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18 NIV)” Which means anytime you talk to God you are near to God. You are not alone, God is with you. It is also comforting to know that God is bigger than us, is all knowing, and is smarter than us. When we pray we get closer to God, who knows all the things that we don’t know. Spend time with God this week in prayer, talk to God like a friend, and you will feel God’s presence more and more.