Posture > Proximity

Have you ever been close to someone, in space, but far from them in heart?

The truth is that proximity does not equate to intimacy. Presence does not always equal alignment. In many if not all of our relationships with God, family, leaders, and community, closeness is less about where we stand and more about how we stand.

This is why posture matters more than proximity. I don't mean to take away from the importance of proximity. It is important to be close, as you can learn so much just from being in the same room. Whether those things you learned are worthy to be imitated or not, being "in the room" does not mean you are in relationship. Physical closeness can exist without emotional, spiritual, or relational closeness. When you leave an organization, when you leave a job, when you leave a school, sometimes closeness is not enough to keep the relationship for thr future. Many times when we leave the place, we also leave the people. This leads me to ask the question: What is your hearts posture towards those people who you have or have left you?

Posture is the position of your heart. It is how you approach, respond, and relate, especially when you do not get exactly what you want. Imagine having the ability to serve in the house but resent the one who owns it. Imagine living a life where you are obeying outwardly while rebelling inwardly. We do not just treat people like this, we do the same thing to God. You can be near the Father but not like the Father. Sometimes when we can't understand His sovereignty we question His goodness.

---

Luke 15:11-32 NLT

Luke 15:11-32 records the story of the Prodigal Son. A younger son, in dishoor, asks for his inheritance from his father early. He leaves, wastes it, and essentially hits rock bottom. He gets such a low place where he starts to realize that the servants in his fathers house have a better life than he does. That is a word all by itself, but I digress... He returns home to the delight of his father that was already waiting for him on the porch. The father runs to him, embraces him, resotres him, and celebrates him by throwing him a party. The older brother becomes angry and refuses to go to the celebration.

Most sermons focus on the younger son or the response of the Father. But the story is just as much about the older brother and this is where, "Posture over Proximity" becomes extremely clear.

Let's imagine how he feels. He hsa never left the house. He stayed with his father. He worked the fields. He did everything right on the outside, but even this close proximity did not help him to understand the heart of his father. His posture revelaed his heart. His actions and his words reveals comparison, entitlement, and resentment. The older brother was in the house, but did not share the father's heart. He saw his obedience as a contract, not a relationship. He was present, but he was bitter.

Here is my charge to you. I do not want to be in the house and not share the same heart. I do not want to live my life chasing after God, doing all these good deeds, serving and sowing but getting to the gates of heaven for Him to say that He does not know me. God is not just looking for people who are near Him, but He is looking for people who are actually like Him.

Proximity will put you in the right place, but posture will put you in the right relationship. The goal is not just to be in the Father's house -- it should always be to carry the Father's heart.

PRAY: Lord, search my heart. Show me where I am close but not aligned. Teach me to rejoice in the things that you rejoice in.