Proximity defined as: principle of art and design, spatial relationship between elements of design that can portray a sense of connection or separation. Proximity can achieve two purposes:
- Create a connection between visual elements and design,
organize relevance hierarchy and give shape to a piece. - Or create a disconnect by illustrating non relationship between
objects or elements or to break up the organization of a structure or design. In other words proximity can help communicate a message in a design either by close relation of objects and elements or by their separation.
For example, the information on the business card on the left is all over the place. The viewer doesn’t know what to read first. Very unorganized, the hierarchy of the information isn’t clear. With the card on the right, the text in bold font in the upper left highlights a name, maybe a business name, maybe person’s name the viewer still isn’t sure what piece of information is important. The hierarchy still isn’t clear.
On the card above, the information that is relevant to each other is in proximity to each other. With center alignment, the name of the business is in a heavy bold font, the most important information. Underneath the business’ name is the business owner’s name. It is a little more clear what is more important just by it’s organization. There is clear direction where the viewer’s eye should go.
Let’s see how this can design principle can apply to our lives. The word proximity isn’t in the Bible, so I looked up the Greek word for proximity and it’s actually a preposition; with, or para; close beside, closely along side, introduces someone as very close. Luke 18:27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” We are able to do the hard things God call us to do when we are in close proximity to Him. If we are walking in the world’s way of doing things, if we are living and trying to accomplish things with what the world has to offer us, the hard things are a real struggle to do on our own. Enduring that health issue, that financial struggle, that difficult relationship, those hard seasons in life are hard to navigate when we have the world’s mentality. It’s impossible to have that peace that passes all understanding, (Philippians 4:7) in that hard season. BUT with God all things are possible when we are in close proximity to Him, We can have peace, we can have endurance. I don’t want to take the next step in that hard season without me being in close proximity to God. That means I need to be in alignment with Him and to do that I need be reading His word daily, communicating with Him daily, since He is the plan for my life.
If we live our life like a composition, like a piece of art, in proximity to God we can communicate to the world we belong to Him. Like wise when we aren’t living in proximity to God, we won’t bear fruit and if we have a discerning heart will be able to see that in others and in ourselves. John 15:5- ‘ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’” Others can see the fruit we bear of being in close proximity to God thus “making the information (us) relevant.”
In what ways do you feel closer or connected to God? How do you connect with God? What do you do to put yourself in close proximity to Him? What are some things that can keep us from being closer to God? We talked about this a little in alignment, what are some things that can keep us apart from God. The second part of James 4:8 says, “… Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded.” Impure hearts, double-mindedness are some things that can keep us from God. Let’s not forget unforgiveness and unconfessed sin.
Distractions, like not being in alignment with God, aren’t sin per se, but they can cause us to lose sight of our priorities which if not kept in check can lead us to sin.
There are a few things I have observed in my life as well as others that happen when we draw near and live in proximity and to God.
1. God draws close. James 4:8 – The king James version says “draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.” The Greek for draw near engisate; I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. biblehub.com. Draw near translates the same in “He will draw near to you.” God is always with us, He is omnipresent, so I wonder if we can say that when we move close to Him, He moves in closer.
We are ultimately separated from God by sin as well as separated by time and space. In God’s design for our life He desires for us to be near Him, as James 4:8 says. Sin is a no-brainer when it comes to separation from God. God had a plan to bring us closer to Him. It’s funny when you start to think about it it’s not so much about US getting closer to God, it about God getting closer to us. We are the ones who run away. He wants us under the protection of His wings. He’s the one that provided the way to salvation. We just have to accept His offer of salvation. God loves us that much to sacrifice HIS SON so that we could be closer to Him, so that we have a way to be in proximity to Him. A verse that came to mind was Hebrews 4:16 The New King James version says, “let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.“ We can live boldly in proximity to God, to His throne of grace!
2. We develop a Christ likeness. It’s common to see this amongst family members. It does have a lot to do with genetics but you typically know when someone belongs to family by mannerisms and speech, physical appearance. Adopted children can pick up habits from their adopted families, they pick up phrases and sayings. They may even develop some mannerisms over time. We repeat words and phrases of our spouses because we have spent so much time with them and it is a way of bonding. My bird has picked up some phrases, “I gotta check my email.” or “Time to go bed now” these were phrases I wasn’t saying to her, just phrases I was saying that she picked up because she’s always within ear shot. We may even develop some mannerisms or actions from spending time with a friend. Sometimes we can develop certain tastes and a fondness of things just because of friendship. So it is with our relationship with God, the more time we spend with Him the more we sound like Him, act like Him, become like Him, have Christ likeness.
3. Others will see our actions and behavior. Others will start to see how we react in certain situations. When we aren’t gossiping at work, or when they see us acting kind to someone who was rude to us they are going to think “what’s different about her,” “why doesn’t he get back at him or her for …” Others will start to wonder.
Another passage of scripture that came to mind was Mary and Martha. Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. You can’t get much closer than that. Her sister was frantic in preparations and I am sure things may have been a bit chaotic. But in that chaos, Mary chose Jesus as her priority as a guest in her home and her Lord. Staying in proximity to God is what God has designed for our lives. It can be a challenge some days I know, but we have a God who comes near to us when we come near to Him.
Further reading
The Kedge Anchor 
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