The old proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one, single step.” What it doesn’t tell you is that that journey rarely goes in a straight line. When you look back, later, on your progress, the line does sideways and doubles even makes circles at certain points. So it is, for most of us, in our journey to get closer to God – it is a journey filled with great progress and maddingly slow seasons of delay. There are moments of revelation and moments of recommitment as well as moments of failure and doubt and uncertainty. Sometimes, those moments stretch into entire seasons.

Consider the example of one, Nicodemus. Here is a strong man – a “ruler of the Jews.” Nicodemus wasn’t just a Pharisee; he was a member of the powerful Sanhedrin, the 70-person ruling body. He had power and money and influence, and he also had great curiosity about Jesus. After all, Nicodemus loved the Lord, and Jesus seemed to be ordained by God. But the things He said were so difficult to understand.

Thus, Nicodemus came of a visit ... at night ... under the cover of darknesss ... alone. He is making no great commitment to Jesus. He isn’t ready to offer his heart of his life. He IS ready to ask questions and get closer for a better look.

When was the last time you took at closer look at Jesus, beyond the Bible stories you memorized as a kid? When is the last time you crept close and sat at His feet and took it all in? Jesus is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our hope. The more time you spend with Him, and more you will understand why.

That’s why today, I pray that you will have strength to comprehend the extravagant dimensions of His love - the breadth and length and height and depth – so that you can experience the fullness of life in Him (Ephesians 3:14-19)