Editorial November 3, 1917 Issue

Drawing Nigh to God

William P. McKenzie

When the prodigal son wanted to have his own way, he placed himself at a great distance from his father. He would be his own master, so he thought. All his gear, the gift of his father, he gathered together, "and took his journey into a far country." The most valuable possession of all, his father's love, he did not consciously take with him, that is, it was not in his thought. His sense regarding his father was the same as that of the wicked man regarding God, for of him it is said, "God is not in all his thoughts."

How shall there be a change in such a condition, unless it be in the way of drawing near to God, which would mean making welcome the thought of God, and aspiring Godward? The prodigal son arose, and retraced from the far country his long journey; and his father with unfailing compassion ran to meet him and forgive him, and thereby evidenced his unaltered love. Does not this illustrate the metaphysical truth stated by James: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you"?

The early navigator who placed on the cork float in his bowl of water "the wise iron," and saw that floating needle seek the north star with perpetual desire, observed a pertinacity such as characterizes men, whose activities always point in the direction of their desires. What is the good man doing but following the direction of his motives? What is the so-called sinner doing but achieving his desires? Every one swings around to that which will satisfy him, as he believes, and he serves that. Paul, writing to the Romans, makes this abundantly clear when he says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

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