You are reading the 41st issue of Drawing Near, a newsletter to encourage connection and soften the ache of loneliness. Each week, you'll receive inspiration for connecting with God, yourself, and the people around you. To see previous issues, go to our newsletter page.

Connect with God

Even those who are close to God can become far away from Him. I was struck by this passage from Ezekiel 22:27:

"[Israel's] priests do violence to my instruction and profane my holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they do not explain the difference between the clean and the unclean. They close their eyes to my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them."

In our desire to seek out friendships, connection, community, or anything, may we always remember God. In our relationship with Him, we find love, purpose, belonging, and rest.

Just as God's own priests should have found those things in Him, but instead chose corruption, the risk is there for us too. The priests could have been a light pointing Israel to God, but became darkness themselves.

How can we stay close to God even as we seek to draw nearer to others? Answer these questions:
1. Whose approval do you desire most—approval from God or people?
2. Whose expectations never change?
3. Whose heart is always pure?

I'm not asking you to choose between God or people. We want to make sure we have the order correct. God first. Then people.

Go to God first, to learn what is pure, holy, and clean; then share that light with others.

Connect with Yourself

“What kills a soul? Exhaustion, secret-keeping, image management. And what brings a soul back from the dead? Honesty, connection, grace.”​
—Shauna Niequist, Present Over Perfect

Connect with Others

"Relationships are messy. No matter how hard you try to be in harmony with everyone, there will still come a time when either you hurt someone or someone hurts you."

​Read "When Relationships Feel Hard" on The Daily Grace Co blog.​

May you feel the warmth of others around you today, and may you be that warmth for others.

P.S. If you're looking for a Bible study on connection, Craving Community is half off right now!

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