Come Close

I was once asked, “If you came into your family room and Jesus was sitting on the sofa, where would you sit?”

I answered with silence, thinking it over…

“Would you climb into His lap?”

Needing more time, I asserted that if Jesus came to visit me in person, He wouldn’t be on the sofa, but would likely slip into the garden and sit on our bench.

“I believe I would sit at His feet.” That was my first thought. It seemed like a good option. I was thinking of Martha’s sister Mary in Luke 10:39. It’s where one would sit to receive wisdom from a revered teacher, to look up and wonder at their words. Plus, it suggests I intend to stay put and let everything else go.

After a couple of years, this question still makes its way into my thoughts. It’s been lingering, prodding me to reflect further. I accept many fell flat on their faces when they encountered the Lord (Luke 5:8, Revelation 1:17). Overcome with fear, or in worship, or in desperate supplication, they immediately fell down to acknowledge and yield to His holiness and power. Would climbing into Jesus lap even be an option? Would it be presumptuous or overly familiar?

This year, two things have shaped my thinking on this. In my morning walks along the trail and on bike rides at the beach during the summer, I found myself veering to move out of the way of vines growing out into the trail. They had what seemed to be unusually long tendrils, reaching out to seek a support. Tendrils like these find their supportive host by touch. Once a supportive host is located, chemical reactions cause them to curl and wrap around the support, creating a coil. As the coil ages it becomes woodier and provides a rigid, lasting support for the plant.

I took note of how well designed these tendrils are for clinging. They reach out and take hold with a grasp that permanently changes their form and character. This clinging allows them to receive what they need. If they don’t cling, they cannot carry out their role. These long, in-my-face tendrils were a prompt to consider God’s design for us. Our need can only be satisfied in the One who is our Deliverer and Sustainer (Psalm 18:2, Isaiah 46:4). As we reach out to Him, He is the One who takes our hand and secures us in His hold, so that we won’t slip or stumble (Psalm 63:8). He says cling to Him alone (Joshua 23:8). The tighter and longer we hold on, the more we are transformed into His likeness. In truth, we can do nothing without Him.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Also influencing my thinking is Genesis 45, which tells how Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. After hearing that this powerful ruler is Joseph, the brothers are terrified because they’ve been exposed. Joseph is quite alive! In verse 4, he says to them, “Come close to me.” After all the evil they had done to him, he calls them near. He wants them to draw near. Calling them close signifies relationship – they are His brothers (Genesis 45:4). It expresses forgiveness – he holds no malice. As they draw close, Joseph desires to alleviate their distress by pointing out that God Himself sent him before them to Egypt to preserve life (Gen. 45:5-8). In this intimate conversation, Joseph demonstrates his power and desire to bless them (Gen. 45:10-11). His love for them creates a safe place for them to draw near (Gen. 45:14-15).

Joseph’s love is a good model of Christ’s love for me, for us. In His tenderness, Jesus asks us to draw near. He wants us near Him, close like a child, close enough for intimate directness, so we can hear and understand. We can draw close because it’s safe. Just as with Joseph, the Lord’s power is used to save His loved ones and give life. Like Joseph, Christ has gone ahead of us to bring about a great deliverance. He says He will provide; He says don’t be afraid. Come close, don’t tarry (Genesis 45:9).

If sitting at His feet suggests the posture of an eager hearer, and falling at His feet is a posture of fearful reverence, what would climbing into His lap suggest? I believe it would express a childlike abandon of absolute trust and a sheer joy and delight in seeing Him. I think it would also indicate a close, intimate relationship already exists. As I look forward to seeing Him with my own eyes, I yearn for this kind of faith.

“O Lord, help us grow in our trust of You, so that like those in-your-face tendrils along the path, we reach out with joyful abandon. May we not hold back, but even now come close. Hold us tight, keep us secure in Your hold as we cling to You, that we may be forever changed.”

This refrain from an old hymn comes to mind. Tarry a few minutes to listen and enjoy.

I will arise and go to Jesus,

He will embrace me in His arms;

In the arms of my dear Savior,

Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

Joseph Hart 1759

I’m excited to let you know my resource page is underway! You can find it here or in the drop down Menu by selecting In the Tool Shed. I started with some of my favorite books in the Walk of Faith and Gardening sections. I’ll add a Destination/Events section and continue to update. Let me know you if you have suggestions!