James 4:8a “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

The year 2012 is a pivotal one in the United States, filled with numerous elections. So far, citizens have been entertained by media outlets from both liberal and conservative schools of thought. The current stirring in my spirit is a call to come closer to God. In our journey of faith, God is calling us to come closer to Him, much closer than we have ever been before, and there is no better time to draw near to God than this time in history. 
 
Why would drawing closer to God be important in an election year? Maybe so the eyes of our hearts and understanding could be influenced by the Divine rather than what we see or hear around us. The hope of finding Him is the best promissory note we can ever ask for, clearly shown in the epistle of James 4:8a. 

God reveals Himself more intimately to us when we draw closer to Him. After the prodigal decided to go back home, the Bible says the father ran towards his son as soon as he saw him. Noah cuddled and pulled the dove to himself as soon as the dove made a gallant return to the ark. God is making a similar, passionate call to those who have been adopted into His kingdom in order to encounter his Divine embrace that is capable of bringing out the best in each of us.

Nothing can be compared to heeding the calling of God to draw closer to Him. God will never grow weary of us no matter how close we get. God declares in Isaiah 58:9, “Here I am.” He is waiting to heal you, answer your prayer, forgive you, help you, deliver you, favor you, redeem you, save you, and fellowship with you to foster intimacy.

God is constantly asking what He can do for His children so what are you waiting for? Quicken your steps and draw closer to the Lover of your Soul. God is coveting our intimacy this election year. Let us, His bride, come near to our Savior.

Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

Before I went to Africa last month, I was exploring the seven spheres of influence (church, government/law, arts/entertainment, education, business, media, and family) as I prepared messages. Now being back in the U.S., friends have asked me what I felt the Lord spoke to me during the trip. There are indeed many revelations, however my most pressing thoughts are divulged below. 

We have done a great job as Christians in influencing the “church” by saving, teaching, equipping, and discipling souls but when you observe the other six spheres, it appears we have not done as well in making a noticeable impact for the kingdom of God. In fact, for so long, Christians have been deterred from these six areas. Some young people who feel a call to any of these areas are afraid to venture into them for fear of being rejected by the church. 

In Nigeria, I saw Holy Ghost filled Christians invading every sphere of their society. These Christians were making a “church” in these areas with their contagious zeal, active faith, and outward witnessing of their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Why complain about our American government, entertainment, education, business, media or family structure when we Christians have relegated these areas unto the world to rule? We have been made to believe these six areas are not for Christians. Thus, many Christians handle their God-given gifts in these six areas discretely rather than boldly exhibiting them for God's glory.

Jesus had a reason for saying “go ye”  into all the world. I believe part of making disciples of men and women is preaching the good news in each and every one of these areas with the love, light and life of Christ.  Until we value each of these six areas as ripe harvest fields, these areas will continue to remain dark. We, as the body of Christ, must not continue to stay comfortably in the “church” and should make a decision to venture out into these six spheres.

Go Forth and make disciples in the church, government/law, arts/entertainment, education, business, media, and family.