I wrote this phrase down at least a month ago, thinking it had some “blog potential.”  I’m pretty sure it was said in a Christian context, but I honestly can’t recall who said it or what the setting was.  Welcome to the world of the “becoming elderly!”

But that ol’ post-it note kept popping up, reminding me that I had a topic waiting for me.

So, this is the week I can finally throw that reminder away!

Forgetting the context might be advantageous because it causes me to get my insights strictly from God, and not from the circumstances causing me to make note of it.  I trust there will be something here for each of you.

As I thought about this phrase from a neutral point of view, it did still take me to a spiritual application. Not simply that, but more specifically to a place that speaks to anyone who is going through a difficult time.  Or will sometime soon!  That pretty much includes all of us.

I’m reminded of the verse in James 4:8 where he writes, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”   That’s pretty basic, isn’t it?  And on the surface, a simple step to take.

Then why do we so often feel that God is distant?  Especially during our challenging seasons. Times when we are often desperate for a new perspective.  Many of us have heard an explanation for that throughout our lives – it’s not because God has moved: it’s because we have.  Truth.

How do we attain proximity to God?  As we just celebrated this past weekend, Jesus’ death on the cross opened up access to Almighty God.  We don’t need those high priests or any intermediary to go directly to our Creator.  Let’s not take that for granted.

So yes, we can go to him in prayer whenever and as often as we desire.  We don’t need fancy words. We don’t need a theology degree.  We don’t even have to know exactly what we want.  Sometimes the most powerful prayer during distressing times is simply, “Oh God!”

Remember, he sees your heart! He knows exactly what is troubling you. And most importantly, he knows precisely what you need to ultimately bring the most growth in your life, and glory to him.

Prayer is a two-way conversation with God.  Yes, you pour out as much of your heart as you can, but then remember to be quiet before him, and wait patiently for his response.  It might be immediate; it might not even be in your lifetime.  Those are the hard ones.  But know that God has that big picture.

The other way to get closer to God is to spend time in his Word.  I didn’t call it “the Bible” here because I want you to understand the personal nature of what we read there.  The Bible is literally, through all the God-inspired authors, exactly what God wants us to know about him.  They are HIS words.  They are his perspective.

As Christians, me included, we can oftentimes become a bit complacent with these powerful and essential Christian disciplines – prayer and reading the Bible.  But there truly are no more foundational pursuits in our Christian walk than those two.

Are there any other applications to this phrase, “Proximity increases perspective?”  Glad you asked!  I can think of several that might also benefit from this viewpoint.

• If you want to understand more deeply how a trial is affecting your friend or family member, spend time with them.  Offer a listening, non-judgmental ear. Trust that what they tell you is true, especially if you haven’t walked this road.
• If you want to understand your children, your parents, your co-workers, or anyone else in your life circle, spend time with them.  Ask questions that encourage conversations that lead to a more well-informed opinion.
• If you want to understand someone who seems dramatically different from you – different upbringing or nationality or traditions – be open to what they have to share, with an ear toward growing in your appreciation for their life experiences.

What bullet points can you add to this list?  It could be endless. 

Bottom line – the more time we spend with someone, and the more open we are to grow from that interaction, the healthier, and more satisfying our relationship will be with them.  Proximity does, indeed, increase perspective.

Therefore encourage one another

and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11