“So let me walk with you – one step away from this world and one step closer to His presence.” – Marco Tello

“Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” – James 4:8 GNT

Imagine being surrounded by forest on a cold, dark night.  The air is brisk and the trees are nothing but an indistinct outline of darker shadows against the night sky.  The penetrating darkness makes it hard to see clearly as you walk.  The cold becomes visible with each breath you take and more noticeable as the tip of your nose, fingers and toes start to feel its inevitable invasion of your entire body.

As you wander, trying desperately to find your own way, you notice a small glowing light against the black horizon.  It seems to call you like a welcoming beacon.  Even though you are still quite a distance from it, with every step you take you feel more guided, more comforted – more assured.  As you approach, you realize it’s a bonfire – with high, dancing orange flames, glowing, amber-colored embers and an inviting warmth that cuts through the night dampness.   As you take steps closer, the fire seems to embrace you as a friend.  In fact, you forget about the black of night, the lingering cold, and the uncertainty of being alone.   You sit down next to it, receiving all that it freely gives you – quietly and simply accepting the gifts of grace it provides on a dark, cold, lonely night.

Now, picture your life and the darkness that sweeps in at times.  That darkness can come in the form of sickness and disease, lack or an unmet need, or in loneliness and despair.  Unexpected death, an unforeseen accident, or financial collapse can create a horizon or future that becomes a sort of impenetrable blackness we attempt to navigate through.

There can be a sense of coldness that sets in, and like the subtle invasion I described earlier, it commences on the fringes of a marriage – where we just don’t talk like we used to, on the outer edges of a job – where you begin to feel less valued, or on the margins of a family – where you start to feel less welcomed – less accepted.  Like your body, the coldness starts in the extremities, but if it isn’t quickly addressed; it will take over the entirety of your being.

Do you currently feel the coldness or sense the darkness in any aspect of your life right now?

If you do my friend, look around and you will see the tiny glow on the horizon of your circumstances. 🙂

It is far from tiny.  It’s a blazing fire!  But sometimes the shadowy trees, the looming darkness, the dismal situations, or the desperate conditions make the intense flame seem like nothing but a minuscule spark.

But, to see it and experience it in its truest form – the warmth, comfort, and guidance it graciously provides – you must take a step closer to it.  The closer you get, the more you begin to feel its effect.

That blazing fire is analogous to our God – the Source of all light, love, and grace we will ever need.  No matter how dark or shadowy your circumstances, take a step closer to Him.  Feel the effects of the cold lessen, begin to see things clearer in the glowing light He provides, and experience the warmth and embrace of a friend like no other – just like sitting next to the welcoming fire on a cold, dark night.

The problem lies in our view of the small glow in the distance.  Our circumstances can be so overwhelming, we just don’t believe that tiny glow can provide any kind of illumination surrounding our situation.  So, we don’t take a step closer to it – we actually walk the other way.  We purposely chose to wander in the cold, dark forest of our life instead.

But I am urging you tonight my friends to take a step closer – just one step!  You will see the tiny glow become larger, more dominant, and more effectual.  As the Scripture verse states above, the closer we move toward God, the more He draws near to us.

I know that sounds superficial – as if God only moves our direction if we first take steps toward Him.  This is not the case. In fact, He has promised to “never leave us or forsake us”, to “be with us always, even to the end of the age” and to be “an ever-present help in times of trouble.”

That is why in the darkness, you must look for the glow! BECAUSE IT IS THERE!  ALWAYS THERE!

Just begin walking toward it – take just one step closer 🙂   You don’t have to be holy, righteous, or perfect to do so.  Who needs a fire if they are already warm!

That fire, just like our God, doesn’t ask something of us before we can feel its effect.  It provides light, warmth, guidance and comfort freely.  You must simply move closer to it to receive the grace it provides.

I promise you my friend – just take one step closer tonight.  Take just a few minutes to pray about your relationship, to share your struggles on the job, to open your heart – sharing your deepest desires.  Sometimes, I just sit quietly next to the Fire – allowing all He is to simply change me, to warm me, to give me His light, and to rest in the comfort He provides. 🙂

As you take one step closer, that tiny glow will begin to intensify, and you will begin walking toward it more diligently – without reservation!

Because the closer you move toward the Source of forgiveness, you will feel forgiven and forgive more!  The closer you move toward the Source of all grace, you will experience more grace….and the same goes for wisdom, healing, strength, love, acceptance and so, so much more.

How will you move just one step closer?  Take that step and you will never be the same again! 🙂

God bless!