Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

Every morning (without fail), while I am spending my quiet time with the Lord, my cat jumps up onto my lap and with utter fearlessness— finds the most comfortable position possible. He doesn’t care if it’s on top of my Bible, over my arms and isn’t at all concerned if it’s inconvenient to me. He comes boldly and confidently and takes his place.

As he did this today, I heard the Lord say, ”I wish my people were this bold when they approached me.”

Most of us would never be as presumptuous as a cat with God! Yet, maybe we are too careful— too aware of our humanity, our falterings and our “maturity” to come boldly.

When my children were young, they never thought twice about running up to their daddy (or to me) and jumping into our laps. They didn’t stop to consider what we were doing or holding— they just playfully and joyfully pounced upon us— much like our cat.

Maybe God would like us to become more childlike in our approach with him? Shouldn’t the hesitations of our humanity be put aside for the confidence of sonship? After all, Jesus said, “Hinder not the little children to come.” I imagine that when Jesus walked the earth that the little children would run and jump upon his lap (without hesitation). I also imagine that their parents would quickly correct them saying, “Do not bother the Master!” Yet— Jesus was not bothered at all by their desire to be with him.

Do we correct ourselves about how we approach him? Do we say, “Don’t bother God with childlike affection?” Maybe the humanity that gets in our way is far less our “falterings” or regard for his holiness— but rather our learned “boundaries regarding intimacy.” I would imagine that God doesn’t have or need boundaries regarding the affections of his people or how they approach him. Yes he is Holy but he is our Father.

He is not worried about the dirt on your hands or the pace of your approach— HE JUST WANTS TO YOU COME! And come boldly as sons and daughters who know that they are wanted, desired and longed for. Do you know that his face lights up at your approach? His arms extend to you when he sees you coming? A smile spreads across his face when you look toward him?

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭

Whether we are in need of help or merely just want to be near him— let us go with confidence, knowing that we are received with joy. Oh, to know that we are wanted by God and to experience being “wanted” is the greatest gift the heart will ever know.

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