Why We Sometimes Prefer to Keep God at a Distance

Dueling Desires

We are indeed complicated people. We know that to be close, even in human relationships, is the desire of our hearts. But we also know that once we move close, we tend to move over another person rather than next to another person. We ultimately find that complexity residing even in our relationship with the Lord. We were created to be close to our Creator, yet at the same time, we seem to prefer the deistic kind of God who basically says, You don’t mess with me, I won’t mess with you. I’ll do my thing and you do yours. The personal God, however—who says, I am yours and you are mine and You belong to me—can sometimes interfere with the things we might want to do.

Created to Draw Near

Edward T. Welch

This meditative and devotional book traces iterations of the priestly job description throughout the Bible, helping believers discover their identity as royal priests who were created to draw near to God.

What Closeness Requires

It’s a silly illustration but two days after I was married my wife told me I needed to change before I left the house and I could not believe it. That’s so stereotypical and I realize that, but I thought, Who is she, telling me how to dress? Well, it took me a little while to realize that I am hers and she is mine—not to mention the fact that my dressing slovenly reflected something of her. To enter into a closer relationship with anyone, our lives have to change just a little bit. So it is complicated. We are people who want to come close to people and to God, but we also recognize that our lives change as a result.

Another reason it can be complicated is that we want to be close—but we don’t. We’re not quite so sure. With so many people—believers in Christ and unbelievers—there is this sense of shame and worthlessness that permeates their being. They can look fine on the outside but there is this sense of being unpresentable and worthless within.

He pursues those who want to hide, covers them, brings them into himself, and speaks of love that is genuine and not forced.

Indeed, the idea of being close to God warms their soul as well but they believe it is utterly impossible because they are hideous before the Lord and they have to hide. To both groups, the Lord pursues and he offers forgiveness of sins to those who want their own way and want to have their own kingdom. He pursues those who want to hide, covers them, brings them into himself, and speaks of love that is genuine and not forced—which is his very inclination as he comes close to his people.

Edward T. Welch is the author of Created to Draw Near: Our Life as God’s Royal Priests.

Edward T. Welch (PhD, University of Utah) is a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. He has been counseling for more than 35 years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His books include When People Are Big and God Is Small, Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Addiction, Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, Shame Interrupted, and Side by Side. He blogs regularly at CCEF.org.