MIGHT be Today?

I recently heard a song called, "Might be Today."  It is a song of wistful desire, a heartfelt longing to be in the presence of Jesus Christ.  "...Might be today I look into your eyes, might be today I see your face.  Might be today you place your wounded hands on my tear-stained face - might be today."  This song absolutely breaks my heart, but not in the way you might expect.  It breaks my heart because for every person this CAN be the day you look into the face of Jesus, and you need not be caught up into the heavens physically for it to happen.  But the devil would love us to pine for Jesus on earth remaining distant from Him, even when an intimate relationship with Jesus is available to all who believe in Christ, have repented, are born again, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus told His disciples He would be leaving them, they were sad.  Jesus says in John 16:5-7:  "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."  Jesus reveals it is actually for the benefit of His followers that He go, for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be sent.  His physical separation from us would actually provide greater closeness.  Instead of Jesus being confined to a physical body in one place on earth, He would send the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who empowers Him, who actually dwells inside of each Christian.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not a bad song, and you're not a bad person if you love this song.  But what I dislike is it reduces our relationship with Christ to the physical with an almost romantic tone.  It likely supports and perpetuates the misunderstanding that a close relationship with God cannot really be obtained now.  The song suggests we must wait until we are physically in heaven before we can actually get to know Jesus.  What does the color of His eyes matter when He has shed His blood for us?  Should I long for a caress from His hand when He has given peace to me that passes understanding today?  Is it profitable for me to fantasize about how His voice sounds when His Holy Spirit speaks to me in a small, still voice whenever I am willing to stop and listen?  Satan would love for our eyes to be tearfully staring after Christ into the clouds when He is in the midst of two or three who gather in His name on earth right now.  Many wring their hands when they ought to rend their hearts.

Another song along the same lines:  "I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side.  I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me.  I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you."  Again, a well-known song.  Shouldn't followers of Jesus Christ be engaged in these activities right now?  Shouldn't we share a walk with Jesus today?  We need not imagine.  "And He walks with me and He talks with me and tells me I am His own.  And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known."   David sought God's face.  Psalm 27:8-9 says, "When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."  [9] Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation."  How about Paul's statement in 2 Cor. 4:6?  "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth now.  We don't need to stop worshiping God:  forever for Christians includes today.

Closeness with God is not something to be longed for:  it is something to be received and walked in today.  As long as we think it is unobtainable, we cannot and will not receive it.  But if we would lay down our idols, give ourselves wholly to God, and cry out to Him, He will hear and respond as He has promised in His Word.  We should not have a "long-distance relationship" with God.  Most of those physical long-distance relationships never work out among people on earth, and professing Christians who attempt this approach with God will be left unsatisfied and likely unsaved.  If I could yell it out I would:  with eyes of faith we see Christ even now, sitting at the right hand of God the Father!  Stephen could see Him, even as the stones were hurled towards him.  Stephen gave himself to God, and God gave him spiritual sight.  We have not because we ask not, and when we ask we ask amiss that we might use God's riches for earthly benefit.

Do not be deceived!  Intense closeness is God's will for us and Him right NOW.  It is not for some distant time when you can trace Christ's wounds from Calvary as Believing Thomas.  Listen to the words of Jesus in John 17:9-11:  "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. [10] And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. [11] Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are."  When we fulfill our purpose of bringing God glory in our lives, we will find a closeness with God we could not have believed possible.  As close as you are with God today, tomorrow that closeness can increase.  You can never be too close to God.  Instead of seeking physical sensation or feelings, seek Jesus Himself.  Psalm 67:1 says, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.  Selah"  Selah means that we should meditate on these things, and notice the lack of a period.  We should not stop meditating upon this truth.  God's face shines upon us and illuminates our hearts from within.  It is in His strength we live, move, and have our being.  Don't wait for heaven to get to know God.  Today is the day.