The Space Between

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

When I was a junior in high school, I traveled to Italy on a class trip. I’d love to say I soaked in every church tour, every piece of history—that I stood in awe before David or the Sistine Chapel. But honestly, that’s not how it went. My attention was mostly wrapped up in a certain boy I was completely captivated by at the time. Oh, to be a teenager in Italy.

Looking back, one thing I wish I had paid more attention to was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which depicts The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. Seeing it now—really seeing it—it carries a completely different meaning. That image of an outstretched hand reaching toward another that seems to pull away… it feels personal. Relatable, actually.

The painting depicts God reaching fully toward Adam, while Adam only half-heartedly reaches back. There’s a small space between their outstretched fingers. That space almost whispers, so close, yet so far away. In today’s terms, I imagine Adam responding to God’s reach with something like, “Nah, I’m good.”

And if I’m honest, I’ve taken that same posture with my Heavenly Father.

It doesn’t take much to get there, does it? A new distraction. A shift in focus. A desire to control my surroundings. A quiet but deliberate decision to dig in my heels instead of surrender. And just like that, I create space. Just like that, my hand hesitates to reach back to the One who knows me by name.

When I look at that gap between Adam’s hand and God’s, I see my own sin. It’s me retreating while He reaches. It’s a choice. Not an accident. Not a misunderstanding. A choice I make, willingly.

Sin is uncomfortable to talk about. We’d rather soften it—call it a mistake, a misstep, a moment of weakness. But deep down, we know. You know what’s right and wrong. So do I. And still, we turn away.

But God.

He pursues.

And He saves us in a way we cannot save ourselves.

Friend, if you are feeling that space between you and God today, know this: it is not coming from Him. Nothing can separate you from Him—nothing.

So recalibrate. Readjust your posture. Sit up and lean in.

Oh daughter of Adam, reach for Him. Let the same Father who sent you a Savior take hold of your hand with all the assurance you will ever need.

Let the space between you close—now and always.

And remember:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8

Reflection: In what areas of my life am I saying, “Nah, I’m good” to God—and why?