Draw near to God. Don’t fear getting close to God. No. He wants you to get close to Him.

James 4:8 — Cleanse your hands, ye sinners. Purify your heart, ye double minded. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

You gotta make some effort. It’s a relationship. You gotta put something into this thing if you wanna know God.

It’s not all about you. See, that’s what’s wrong with people today. It’s all about me. Oh, you gotta come after me. I’m so worthy. He left the 99 and He went after me. What are you doing? What? What are you going to do? Who are you gonna leave to go after God?

He left the other 99 sheep. Yes, that’s the parable Jesus gave. He’s gonna come after you knowing the 99, they’re okay. They’re stable. The big bad wolf is not gonna get them. But He wants to save you, so He’s coming after you.

So what are you gonna do?

Are you gonna leave drugs?
Are you gonna leave alcohol?
Are you gonna leave fornication?
Are you gonna leave masturbation?
Are you gonna leave porn? Pornography?

This is a relationship with Father God. You have to put some effort into it in order to get something out of it. Just like anything else in life, it requires work.

Faith without works is dead. Now, we’re not saved by the works we do. We’re saved by faith, by believing the Lord Jesus Christ. But believing is an action. Faith is an action.

God is, He exists, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

That’s what I’m prodding you to do today. Teenagers, parents of teens, anyone listening — go after God. He will reward you for seeking Him, for looking for Him, for wanting Him, for calling Him.

You know how that special someone — you like him, you like her — and you be dialing their number up. Texting all day. Sending pictures. You be all up on the phone trying to get with them.

What kind of play are you giving God?

Are you reading your Proverbs? Reading the Gospels? Reading the Torah?

You gotta go after God. He has to be important in your life in order to have a meaningful relationship with Him.

Because when you draw near to God, He will draw near to you.

God bless, Shirah Chante, your relationship coach and artist

P.S. 🎧 This is just part of the message. Listen to the full episode of Teens Draw Near to God Poetry Podcast to hear the complete teaching, the poem “All Is Vanity,” and the salvation invitation. Subscribe and come back weekly as we build a real relationship with God together.