The Nearness of God in My Life
A Testimony from George Bullard
The Nearness of God in My Life
It is difficult for me to understand the perspective of people who are far from God. Who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Who do not strive to practice the values of the life and ministry of Jesus—The Living Word of God.
It is difficult not because I devalue people who are far from God. Every person is a person of worth created in the image of God
It is difficult because I grew up in a family and an environment where I always felt near to God. I did not encounter many people who were far from God.
The difficulty is mine and not with the people who are far from God. Yet it is people far from God to whom I have dedicated my life.
Helping two or three people gathered together in the name of Jesus. Congregations of all shapes, sizes, and locations. Denominations and parachurch organizations who empower gathered people and congregations to bring those who are far from God near to God.
I chose to accept God’s call to do this. God gifted me with the desire to help Christian movements reach their full Kingdom potential. God gifted me with the ability to develop spiritual and strategic strategies to empower Christian ministries.
I was near to God in my life patterns and home setting from birth forward. I was far from God theologically until I professed Jesus as my Savior and Lord at the age of seven. From that point my spiritual life guided my life patterns to continually deepen my nearness to God.
Getting near to God is still happening in my life. It is always happening. I, nor anyone else, will ever be able to say they have fully achieved nearness to God.
Does this mean I never engage in premeditated unloving acts, and hurtful attitudes and speech? Oh no! Like everyone, I am a sinner saved by grace.
I have, do, and will continually engage in sinful acts, attitudes, and speech. They sneak up on me at the most inopportune times and places—even with people I claim to love with my full heart, soul, mind, and strength.
It is inevitable. I am human. So are you. All of us have sinned, do sin, and will sin. We must regularly ask for God’s forgiveness. Anyone who claims they do not need to ask God for forgiveness, does not understand their own humanity and are far from God.
When I Publicly Declared My Nearness to God
A great blessing God gave me was to be born into a Christian home. A church pastor’s home. A mother who served faithfully and effectively as a pastor’s wife.
Before I was born, I know my parents prayed for my coming, and the life I would live. From birth I was nurtured in a family who always sought to know and do God’s will.
They taught me by word and deed to focus on walking with God. To invite Jesus into my heart. To listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking into my life about God’s will for my spiritual walk, and God’s purpose for and call on my life.
At age seven, in a childlike way, I began to understand my need to make a public profession of faith in God and invite Jesus into my heart. Asking for God’s forgiveness for any sins I had committed. Accepting His forgiveness. Receiving eternal life and publicly professing this.
I can point to a specific time when this happened. It was in April 1958 on a Tuesday night during a week of revival worship services in our church in Baltimore, MD. My father was preaching that week rather than having an outside evangelist.
The church parsonage was located next door to the church. After supper my father headed to his office to look over his notes for the evening. I asked to go with him, knowing I wanted to talk with him.
He had very little time to review his notes as I began talking to him about receiving Jesus as my Savior and Lord. He guided me through my decision. Prayed with me. Instructed me to come forward during the invitation hymn at the end of the service.
He had no opportunity to tell my mother, so it was a delightful surprise to her when I went forward.
I drew radically nearer to God that evening, and I have never looked back.
As the words of a song says, “My Lord is near me all the time.” (written by Barbara Fowler Gaultney in 1960)
The nearness of God is a great blessing!
Beautifully shared my dear friend and some 30 years a mentor.
I only wish my journey had been so smooth and seamless as yours does seem. You are a blessed man and a gift to churches across this nation.