Nearer my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee ... begins the hymn Sarah Adams wrote in the 1800s. 

   Life's rough patches caused Adams to question her faith. Why did God seem so far away?

   But she learned, even through difficult and painful farewells, that Christians can draw near to God. Her life included a cross, darkness, stony griefs and woes, yet she overcame. 

  Our Pursuit of His Presence  

   
   God is nearer than our soul, than our secret thoughts.

   Do we draw near to him by analyzing doctrines to the finest point? 
By solving all mysteries and prophesies? We can become amateur theologians without becoming saints.

   If Sarah Adams found God through her storms, we can too. But, God doesn't toss his gifts our way like cheap beads at a parade.

   We repent. We surrender. We search our Holy Bible for truth and guidance.

   We receive. We respond, and respond to his love - with love. 

   This (love) then is how we know that we belong to the truth, 

and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever 

our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, 

and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19:20