“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” James 4:8 What I love about studying scripture is this: discovering that he has been .near. to each individual soul all along. Though we read James’ statement as “first me, then him,” within the context of the entirety of scripture, we recognize that he has always been Alpha & Omega, Creator, Author, Finisher, Savior, Friend, King, and Servant. When we draw near to him, the veil falls, and we see him for who he has always been. He has always been near, and he will stay near regardless of our willingness. But, our willingness and our desire to be with him, changes our hearts. We aren’t puppets on a string, so our hearts won’t change without our consent. So, with free will and with a willing heart, draw near to God, because he has always been sitting there, near to you.