Each Day Closer

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  Ephesians 1:17-21

I pray that I am an example of a follower of Christ who is both a shining example to other Christians and a flawed person to those who seek Christ.  Why the last part?  Because none of us are perfect, and the last thing I want is to be on a pedestal.  It is far better they find me as someone who they can come to when their life is messy and broken and ask the question, “You’re life is like mine, and yet there is joy in your life.  Why?”  Then I can share the joy God has brought me in spite of my trials, struggles, and failures.  The bottom line is that I just pray my walk of faith continually brings me closer to Christ.  Each day is better than the last.

Our goal as Christians is that we are in a continual state of growth moving ever closer to the image of Jesus Christ.  We so often get caught up in the things we want for our lives.  It can be so hard when we are bombarded with things that interfere with one fundamental need; the need to be closer with a God who loves us so much.  It does not matter either how great we were or how bad we failed yesterday.  Today we can move one step closer to Him.  Whether it be by prayer, action, or word, He is right where He has always been; watching, caring, protecting, and loving us.

No matter where you are in journey of faith, God wants us to know it is going to be alright.  If you feel close to God, have peace knowing you will only continue to grow closer.  If you feel distant, know God is still there sounding a beacon for you to keep walking toward the sound of His voice.  This is the hope of both Paul’s prayer at the beginning of the book of Ephesians and a savior who died so that we could have strength knowing He will neither leave nor forsake us.  How can you grow closer to Christ today?  What from the past must you lay at Christ’s feet to move forward?  My prayer is that we do what is necessary today to move closer to Christ today and beyond.  Amen