Drawing Near To God

Drawing Near to God  ||  James 4:8 || Ayanna Pope

James 4:8 is both an invitation and a warning: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” It reminds us that closeness with God requires honesty about where we truly stand with Him.

Recently, God has been revealing areas in my life where I have been living as a hypocrite—double-minded, carrying an impure heart while still trying to appear faithful. It’s a humbling realization. I have been watching a series called Paradise, which follows a group of people trying to survive after the world ends. As dramatic as the storyline is, it has caused me to constantly reflect on my own life and faith. If Christ returned today, would my affairs be in order? Would I truly be right with Him? Have I sincerely repented, or have I been serving in ways that align more with my own comfort and likability than with His truth?

Each episode stirs the same thought: I do not want to be left behind when my Savior comes. In the show, disaster strikes through violent storms and natural destruction. A select group survives in a well-equipped bunker, while others are left outside to face fear, scarcity, and uncertainty in what remains of the world. The imagery makes me think of the condition of our hearts. Some people build “bunkers” in life—carefully designed appearances of righteousness. From the outside everything looks secure, polished, and prepared. But if the heart is not truly surrendered to God, it is only artificial safety.

James calls us to something deeper than appearances. “Wash your hands…purify your hearts.” This is not a one-time act but a daily, conscious cleansing. We are all sinners, and drawing near to God requires ongoing repentance and humility. Looking good spiritually on the outside will not carry us into eternity. Our hearts must be anchored in Him.

That’s why the call is urgent: draw near now. While there is still time to correct ourselves. While there is still time to be used by Him. While we are still living before the fulfillment of what is to come. The old hymn echoes this truth: “There’s a storm out on the ocean, and it’s moving this old way. If your soul’s not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away.”
Yet James 4:8 is not only about warning—it is about promise. When we take one step toward God, He responds with nearness. Even in the storms we face today—personal struggles, uncertainty, moments of conviction—He is not distant. He is present, guiding each step for His purpose in us.

So the answer is simple, though not always easy: lay everything at His feet. Cleanse your hands. Purify your heart. Seek Him sincerely. And as you draw near, His presence will reveal His glory in ways no bunker of our own making ever could.