The Christian experience is often described as a journey rather than just a destination. Characterized by movement, adventure and discovery, life is not a peek from a stationary observation deck. The 91st psalm says, “The Lord watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin” (Psalm 91:11 ESV).

Because of the truth in this lesson, what is the next step that God wants you to take?

The closer you come to the Father, the closer you will be able to be to each other.

What steps do you need to take to become closer to the Father? As I write this lesson, it is almost three years ago that I took a step that changed my life. Standing and waiting at a crosswalk, the light changed and I walked at a normal pace to cross the street and head home. The evening was planned – burritos and queso would season the pallet. The work day was over.

Although I cannot visually remember the moment, a car came speeding down the street and made a left turn. The legs went out from under me and for an instant I was parallel to the street. My body hit what I think was the hood of the car and I bounced – pretty much still parallel – until I was on my back on Broadway.

When I arrived at home, I began to do what I do – think. And when I think, I write. Bruised and battered, it is no accident what was on my mind. These are the words that I penned:

  1. We spend far too much time in life doing things that don’t matter. I am 61 years’ old and I know that life is but a blade of grass. But it is so easy to push that reality from our minds. There are so many things that I want to do – so many things that I need to do. Things that are not only urgent but important fill my bucket list.  Instead, being busy fills my days. Too busy to lead a small group. Too busy to spend time with my wife. Even too busy to do anything in the evenings but sit on the couch and watch TV before dozing off to sleep. The Bible says to be busy with the important things while there is still the light of day. The bounce on the hood needs to be my wake-up call. Don’t wait for a tragedy to awaken to the important things.
  2. More importantly, we don’t spend nearly enough time assuring the important people in our lives that they do matter. Like granddaughters. Children. A spouse. Colleagues at work. Friends at church. One of the things I thought of this evening was the dialogue in the spectacular musical and movie “Fiddler on the Rood.” Do you love me? Of course I do – look at all of the things I do for you. I need to make sure I voice those feelings instead of assuming the important people “know.”
  3. Finally, we need to spend more time recalibrating the things in which we believe. The lady that hit me asked several times if I was okay. The EMS and police seemed to be waiting for me to be mad and explode. They seemed to worry that I was delirious because I wasn’t yelling. Dictated by our beliefs, our actions stand on the foundation of whose we are. I didn’t yell because I believe in God, because I see purpose beyond the circumstances, because I choose not to be a yeller. I need to spend more time thinking about those beliefs – reaffirming them in my mind. It would have been a lot easier to be incredibly angry last night. The world shows me a lot of ways that I could react. I need to constantly reaffirm the beliefs that are my foundation – the reasons for my hope.

Everything that we do involves our own personal spin. We all approach grief differently. The things we choose to do when we relax are different. How I choose to spend time with my children is different than how you choose to spend time with yours. The same will be true as we seek fellowship with the Father.

How do you take the first step toward God? What draws you closest to Him? Perhaps music softens your soul and draws your steps to the Father. Maybe you feel closest to God when you are in nature, viewing His creation, and your steps move upon the path. You might feel closest to the Father when you are on your knees.

My steps journey on the pilgrim’s pathway home with the most vigor, the briskest of pace, the most bounce to the walk, and with the most direct purpose toward God when I am studying in His Word. When I reaffirm that His Words are my words, His thoughts are my thoughts, and His ways are my ways, I find the closest fellowship with the Father.

How do I do that with someone I don’t see – whether it be God or whether it be other believers who are separated at least six feet away? Here are a handful of ideas:

  • I must be active. We tend to wait for things to happen, including our relationships. If we desire fellowship with the Father, we cannot expect to sit and wait and one day we will be zapped with fellowship. We must take the initiative to pursue fellowship with God. Knowing God’s Word, prayer, communion, and singing praises provide just a few suggestions. Your connecting point might be music, creative arts like painting or sculpting or appreciating nature. What draws you close to God? Actively pursue those steps.
  • I must be still. Several times the Scripture encourage us to be still or quiet. We live in a busy world. Information comes at us from more directions and at a faster pace than ever before. We need to be able to shut off this incredible stream and give our souls a chance to rest, relax and listen for the voice of God.
  • I must always be aware of His presence and the connection. In His very being, God is not alone. His design is for a united fellowship and that was the intention of His creation. Analogies comparing the church to a body reinforce the connectivity we share with the head of the body – Christ – and the other members.
  • I must rely on His promises. The Father has promised to be with us and to guide and direct us. We must rely on Him keeping His promises. We can look for ways to see His presence.
  • I must be intentional. Fellowship with the Father is secured through His Son, but we do not experience it, or participate with it by accident. We must be intentional about the things we are doing to step closer to the Father.
  • I must stay connected with His people. John states, “He who does not love his brother whom he does see, cannot love God whom he cannot see” (1 John 4: 20 ESV).