Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE flowers, so I am really excited about this post!

You’re going to have to do a little bit of imagining with me, but it’ll make sense as you read along.

First, I want you to imagine you are holding a flower about an arms-length away from your face.

Okay, now I want you to smell it.

How does it smell?

I hope you are thinking to yourself, “Well I probably can’t smell it.”

That’s the point.

You’ll understand where I am going with this as you continue reading.

The Lord taught me a very simple, yet powerful lesson the other day: you won’t be able to smell the roses if you don’t get close enough.

This simple truth led me to a deeper understanding of what a relationship with Jesus looks like…A relationship with God isn’t meant to be experienced from a distance. It’s supposed to be close and intimate.

I am thankful for the sweet analogy between smelling flowers and a relationship with God: He desires for us to draw near to Him and fully experience His goodness— every second of every day. Just like flowers are beautiful to look at, they are even more lovely if you can smell them. 

The same is true of God! Yes, He is beautiful in every aspect, mighty beyond compare, and lovely in more ways than we can count, but if we’re only observing Him from an arms-length away, were not fully experiencing His fullness and glory! If we don’t lean in and allow ourselves to get close to Him, we may not experience all He has for us. 

So, what is stopping you from drawing close and fully experiencing God’s goodness? 

You do not have to get your act together or clean up the mess you’ve made to approach the throne of God. Let me encourage you with a verse out of Matthew that may change your perspective on this. 

Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

He doesn’t say to run from me and figure out life on your own. He says COME TO ME!! He not only says “come to me,” but He tells us to bring all of our baggage, everything that is laboring over us, all burdens, all mistakes and give them to Him. I can’t think of a better way to sum this up other than: pure, unconditional love.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3 

I don’t want us to just settle for a life that is distant from God.

Let’s approach each and every day with a heart postured towards Him and a desire to draw near to Him. Let’s ask Him to hold our hand and walk us through the ups and downs, highs and lows. Let’s allow Him to enter the dark places that we try so hard to cover up and fix on our own. Let’s draw near to the Creator of the universe and allow Him to become Lord of our lives.

When we do this, a flame is lit in our hearts that casts out all fear, shame and bondage.

Guys, He wants us to experience His GOODNESS, His FAITHFULNESS, His HOLINESS...His EVERYTHING.

Why don’t we let Him?

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

xoxo, Brooke

P.S: This is a picture from a “Sunrise Community Group” last week. There really isn’t anything on this earth that I love more than Gainesville sunrises and sweet community. I’d wake up early every day just to talk about Jesus with these girls and watch the sun make it’s appearance. It’s the simple, pure things in life that truly mean the most.