Imagine something impossible. I guarantee that there is someone out there trying to figure out how to do it.

For example, it is impossible to grow younger. But there are millions of people trying desperately to find a way to be young. They try various diets, surgery, ointments, drugs, dyes, wigs, acting young, marrying young, even infusing themselves with a young person’s blood. It’s absurd.

Meeting God is one of those impossible things. We just can’t do it. People try all sorts of things like meditation, drugs, travel, reading various philosophies about God, experimenting with ancient rituals, idols, temples, and gurus. None of it can bring me close to the Creator of the Universe, the One True God.

Why?

The answer doesn’t have anything to do with where God is. He isn’t hiding. He isn’t hard to find. That’s not the impossible part.

God is impossible to approach because of who He is. He is holy. He is pure love. Brilliant cleansing light that no human could tolerate. I couldn’t approach Him anymore than I could approach the sun’s core. I can’t even come within 3 million miles of the sun without burning to a crisp, and that’s with a spacesuit.

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬, ‭CSB)‬‬

Jesus is the only way to God because He is the only one who can protect me from God’s holy cleansing fire. He did this when He was crucified, taking my sins — past, present, and future — with Him. When I accepted Jesus into my life, He removed the evil from my soul that would be burned by God’s holiness. Jesus isn’t some spiritual space suit or heat-shield. He transformed me so there is simply nothing left to burn. So now, with Jesus, it is safe for me to approach God.

Jesus is the only way to God because He is the only one who offered to forgive me and was able to cleanse me with His sacrifice and present me to God as holy. Unburnable.

Dear God, you are perfect, beautiful, and holy. Imperfection and evil cannot survive your presence. Thank you so much for sending Jesus so that I can approach your throne with confidence and joy no matter what I’ve done. Your forgiveness is so welcome, so undeserved, and so marvelous.