How to Draw Near To God

Lea’s Story

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” James 4 v 8 . This is a promise, and God never breaks His promises.

Draw near to God.  I don’t think it’s that difficult really. 

Drawing near

Copper Etching on paper

You are seen

Be Honest

I was in the depth of depression, drawing my face, raw with emotion, daily.  In frustration one night I prayed “This is how I feel, God.  Deal with it!” and proceeded to show him through the piles of self portraits.

That was where I was, and that’s where God met me. In the stare of those sad self portraits. He listened.  I remember Him saying “Believe me I’ve seen worse!”

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”  Isiah 57 v 15

Hopelessness

Copper etching on paper

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint” Edward Hopper

Bruised Helplessness

Copper Etching on Paper

“The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34 v 18

He hears and cares

It is nice to be listened to, but after that night I didn’t feel that dramatically different. I’d describe any change as a tiny but certain hope that I was not doomed. God had taken on these problems with me and his heart was breaking much more than mine.

Battle of the Mind

Woodcut on paper

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Solomon, Proverbs 23 v7

Overshadowing

Graphite on paper

“O spread your wings of Mercy over me” Ben Trigg

It’s a decision

Although the decision to draw close to God was made in utter frustration, God took His chance! He used that tiny faith as a catalyst for growth and gradual tender healing. God honours our decision to draw close to Him, even if it comes in the form of a desperate confrontation. 

The embrace

Pencil on Paper

Do you feel loved?

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Let God speak to your heart

Acrylic on paper

Do you hear God speak? Do you let it into your heart?

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

The Lion of Judah

Graphite and acrylics on paper

What do you see in His eyes?

“Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” Revelation 5 v5

It’s a walk

Drawing close to God was not a one time fix.  It’s a walk.  I have kept drawing, and in the rough pencil marks I’ve seen and experienced my His intimate beauty. Drawing and walking takes time and you get to know your companion on the way.

Daughter

Graphite on handmade paper

“This is my daughter who I delight in”

Growing in rest

Pencils and markers on paper

“Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.” Jesus, Mark 4 v27

Dreaming with God

Coloured pencil, markers and acrylic on paper

Dreaming with God, whose character holds steady the sun.

God will draw close to you

Some of the most beautiful things that has happened as God has drawn close to me is not just the healing and God getting my life back on track.   It’s the getting to know intimately the personality of the God who is helping me. Drawing is a beautiful and wonderous way of doing this. The slow process of Drawing can reveal aspects of God you wouldn’t notice elsewhere.

Look up, Child

Coloured pencil and acrylics on handmade paper

“We are all born children – the trick is remaining one.” Picasso