Pondering the Nearness of God

It's Saturday morning and I have a few moments to blog- although I don't really know if anyone reads this but it's theraputic to put down my thoughts for me anyway!

All week one of the Scriptures that Dave Gibson preached on this past Sunday has been hanging around in my thoughts - so I've been trying to pay attention, because as forgetful as I can be, if I'm remembering something, there's got to be a point to it. And I believe the Holy Spirit is at work, bringing things to mind.

It's Psalm 73:28 "The nearness of God is my good." That's New American Standard. NIV says, "But as for me, it is good to be near God." Here's the whole passage from the Message:

25-28 You're all I want in heaven!
You're all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
But I'm in the very presence of God—
oh, how refreshing it is!
I've made Lord God my home.
God, I'm telling the world what you do!

I'm right there with the part about saggy skin and brittle bones! Vs 25 in the NAS says, "Whom have I in heaven but You?"

The thought that Dave said that I keep thinking about, is what does it look like for life for me to be good? My usual quick answer would be that there is peace in the home, everyone is good with everyone else, the kids aren't struggling, etc.

Yet this verse says that to be near to God is all I need for life to be good. So that's what I've been pondering all week. How much do I believe this, and how much do I center my actions on this? In my head and in my heart I believe it and understand it- that if I'm in close relationship to my Lord, then when the tough things in life do come, then in His strength I will be able to survive them and grow.

But shouldn't this be central in every decision I make? At one point in the week, I wanted to say some unkind words to my dear husband, and before I opened my mouth, the thought came, will yelling at him draw me nearer to God? Well, no! So how can I yell at him? WOW! How life-changing it would be to have that thought before every action!

So I'm praying that the Holy Spirit keeps bringing this to my mind all the time, that God gives me a deep longing in my soul to be nearer to Him. And that I put aside my self-centeredness and self-desires and follow more closely.

Any thoughts out there on this topic?