Need Some Space? - Martin Wiles

He (God) is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. 2 Peter 3:9 MSG

Everybody needs space—some more than others.

Personal space. That area around me wherein if someone steps in I get uncomfortable or nervous. I fear, back away, or enjoy. The width of the space varies by individual. And usually by how well I know the person. The need for personal space is heard in the old saying when confrontation arises: “I dare you to step across this line.” And then the person draws one with the tip of their shoe.

Writers fear the white space. The area on paper we must fill up with something we want to write or have been contracted to write. And when we get brain block and can’t think of words to put on the paper, our panic level rises.

Prisoners have their space. Measured in small increments of feet, they exist there until their sentences are served.

Houses have space. Depending on the needs or wants of the owner, the amount is large, medium, or small.

Even gangs have their space. An area of town they control. People who enter without invitation face danger—perhaps even death. A space the gang controls and feels comfortable with.

And God has space—but of a different kind. He gives us space. According to Peter, He does this because He wants people to repent. He gives us space to believe—as much as we want. But not without consequence. If the end comes and we haven’t filled that space with belief, our eternity won’t be pretty. If we have, our eternity will be beyond our wildest imagination.

God gave this space from the very beginning when He gave Adam and Eve the choice to obey or disobey Him. He wanted to have a relationship with them, but He wanted them to want the same thing.

God doesn’t force us to fill up our space with Him. If He did, He’d have only robots—and these wouldn’t provide the fellowship He desires. He wants us to willingly choose to let Him into our personal space.

Experience the most enjoyable life by allowing God into your personal space.

Prayer: Father, may our lives always be filled with the beauty of Your presence.

Tweetable: What are you doing with your space? 

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Never Too Close for Comfort - Martin Wiles

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 NLT

There is such a thing as being too close for comfort—but never with God.

I love being close to my wife. Sometimes in the evening hours after the grandkids have gone and the kitchen is clean, we sit together and watch M*A*S*H episodes. We snuggle, me with my arm around her and her with her head on my shoulder.

Nights are similar. We only have a full-size bed, but it wouldn’t matter if it was queen- or king-size. We’d still occupy the same space. We lie close to each other, often holding each other throughout the night. She doesn’t want her own space, nor do I.

I also enjoy being close to my children and grandchildren. Although my daughter and son are 30 and 26 respectively, they still get hugs. And so do the grandkids. They get many hugs and kisses. I want them to know they are loved. Especially if they are sad or hurt.

My personal space is different. While I don’t mind family getting into my personal space, I tend to back up when others enter it. If I don’t know them well, they can get too close for comfort.

The person who never gets too close for comfort is God. Never have I felt so close to Him as when I went through an extremely difficult divorce. It seemed I had lost everything, but He reminded me I had not lost Him. My favorite time of the day was when I’d lie down at night and pray. It was as if He was right beside me. And He was. He is close to the brokenhearted and calms those who have crushed spirits.

God is close because He cares. We are His children, His friends, His masterpieces in the making. Sometimes the making requires guiding us through tough times and at other times bringing difficulties into our lives. But He never leaves us. I may not feel His presence. He may even seem far away, but He never is.

God doesn’t deliver me from every difficulty, yet He won’t leave me to walk through them alone. Like a shepherd guiding sheep, He leads me, giving me wisdom and courage to face what is crushing my spirit.

Regardless of how you feel when times are tough, remember God is never too close for comfort.

Tweetable: Is God too close for your comfort? 

Prayer: Father, thank You for bringing us comfort when our spirits are crushed. 

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