The Escalator

As she entered through the sliding doors, she squinted slightly at the brightness of the sun reflecting on the stark and shiny tiles that lay across the floor.  She looked around, right then left, surveying the large lobby to see which direction she would go.  As she moved forward through the large entry, at the back of the room, she discovered stairs reaching up as high as she could see.  Nearing, she realized that the stairs were actually an escalator, each steel stair moving with a small hum.  The stairs seemed to be moving downward and she was puzzled as she looked around to find a corresponding escalator going upward... she looked... no stairs?  Despite the challenge of the stairs she felt drawn to go upward.  She walked quickly and began up the escalator as the stairs continued to move downward.  With each large step, she only made a small bit of progress upward.  One foot after another, she practically ran up the stairs toward the top.  Reaching a point of exhaustion and defeat, she stopped and stood still on one of the stairs.  Sinking, she began a downward slope back towards the tile floor.  Her heart sunk to her stomach at this small moment of weakness and she quickly began walking against the stairs downward movement.  With each step she got closer and closer... now she could see the light... a man, with arms outstretched, as if he was waiting on her.  She continued to climb and climb, and the stairs continued to move down.  She drew closer and closer, and as she was able to finally touch his fingertips.   A calmness came over her.  Her climb didn't stop, but she continued to stay near him.  She felt his warmth... his comfort... and she knew that she was loved. 
 
Drawing near to Christ is not as simple as jumping on an "up" escalator and riding to Him.  Staying near Him is hard, like swimming upstream.  Riding down with the sinners is easy, but going against the ways of the world is so difficult.  If we stop seeking a relationship with Christ, the distance will slowly become so large that He will slip out of site... out of mind... out of our heart.   

I want to seek Jesus.  I want to keep running towards Him... against the world... against what is easy.   I want to see Him, and know that He is near always.  

I seek you with all my heart;  do not let me stray from your commands.  Psalm 119:10