========================================================================
  GOD IS ALWAYS READY
  by W.R. Inge
========================================================================

Summary: God is always ready to bring man to Himself, but we must be
willing to follow His course and separate ourselves from worldly things.

Topics: "Drawing Near", "Spiritual Freedom"
Scripture References: Psalm 145:18, Matthew 11:28, John 14:23, Galatians 5:1, James 4:8

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

W.R. Inge emphasizes that although coming to God may seem difficult and
challenging at first, once a person commits to the journey, life becomes
lighter, happier, and more desirable. God eagerly desires to be with us
and lead us closer to Him if we are willing to follow. Despite our
unpreparedness, God is always ready and near, waiting for us to draw
near to Him. The prophet's words highlight the path to true freedom of
the spirit, becoming one with God. Inge prays for God's help as we
strive to follow this path and be brought closer to Him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO one ought to think that it is difficult to come to Him, though it
sounds difficult and is really difficult at the beginning, and in
separating oneself from and dying to all things. But when a man has once
entered upon it, no life is lighter or happier or more desirable; for
God is very zealous to be at all times with man, and teaches him that He
will bring him to Himself if man will but follow. Man never desires
anything so earnestly as God desires to bring a man to Himself, that he
may know Him.

God is always ready, but we are very unready; God is near to us, but we
are far from Him; God is within, but we are without; God is at home, but
we are strangers.

The prophet saith: God guideth the redeemed through a narrow way into
the broad road, so that they come into the wide and broad place; that is
to say, into true freedom of the spirit, when one has become a spirit
with God. May God help us to follow this course, that He may bring us to
Himself. Amen. (223)

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/wr-inge/god-is-always-ready/
========================================================================