This Easter, will you step back and focus on deepening your connection with Jesus? After all, Spring is a time of new beginnings. We can come together to celebrate Jesus’s Resurrection and the power of His love. Amidst the excitement, it is easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget to reflect on the true meaning. So, let’s dive in and discover five ways to take one step closer to Jesus this Easter and rediscover unbelievable joy.
Five Ways to Step Closer to Jesus
Applying these five strategies to take one step closer to Jesus this Easter will empower you to take your faith to the next level. #Easter #Closer #Jesus Click To Tweet1. Join a Supportive Community
Who is in your community? Are there people who inspire and uplift you in your faith? Do they offer guidance, comfort, and accountability?
God designed us to walk our faith journey with others. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our beliefs and values can give us the encouragement and support we need to grow in our relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have a faith community, perhaps it is time to join a small group or attend church.
It never ceases to amaze me how I learn from others and deepen my faith. My spiritual goal for the year is to draw closer to God, and today, someone in my small group poked me a bit in a good way. She shared a message about what she had heard about the Sabbath. Her words prompted me to ask myself a question. What am I striving to accomplish that is more important than a day of rest with God?
How has a faith community strengthened your faith?
2. Embrace Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool for growing closer to Jesus and deepening our relationship with Him. By praying consistently, we can connect with God and seek His guidance and wisdom as we navigate life. Prayer can also help us develop a heart of humility and gratitude as we acknowledge our dependence on God and express gratitude for His blessings.
As we seek to take one step closer to Jesus this Easter, let us commit to praying consistently. #pray #Easter #closer Click To TweetBy carving out time daily for prayer, we can quiet our minds and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we can draw closer to Jesus and experience his transformative love in a new and more profound way.
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
What change or habit would you like to implement in your prayer life? Although I usually start my day with God, I don’t tend to close my day with the Lord— but that’s my goal.
What a great time of the year to make a habit of spending time in prayer or mixing up how we pray. We offer Embracing Prayer | How to Approach God Using the Acronym T.R.U.S.T. at certain times of the year; please visit our page to find out how to download your copy today.
This powerful prayer packet includes worksheets for using the prayer acronym T.R.U.S.T. and more. For more information, visit our “Embracing Prayer” page.
3. Walk in the Steps of Jesus During Holy Week
As we move towards the week leading up to Easter Sunday, known as Holy Week, why not thoughtfully walk in the steps of Jesus? Be intentional and reflect on the events that led up to his crucifixion and resurrection. We can read our Bible or attend a Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, or Easter Sunday service.
As we walk in the steps of Jesus, it is critical to take the time to linger in the pain of the cross so we fully grasp the sacrifice and the love that motivated Him. We can begin to appreciate the magnitude of Easter and what it represents. While the pain Jesus experienced on the cross may be challenging to comprehend fully, we must try. When we acknowledge and engage with His suffering, we can fully appreciate the joy and hope that comes with Easter.
To dive deeper, a post titled “Will You Linger in Christ’s Pain and Ponder the Gift of Grace?” will explain why we might try to avoid Jesus’s pain and the value of lingering in His suffering.
By allowing the Easter story to come alive in our hearts, we can experience a deeper connection to Jesus and His incredible love for us.
How will you participate in Holy Week this Easter?
4. Recognize That Joy Will Come
As we recognize the pain Jesus endured for us, we can remember that it was all for a purpose. The Easter story is one of both sorrow and joy, and as we travel through the story, we see the transformation of pain and death into life and hope. As we reflect on the moments of pain and suffering during Holy Week, we can also hold onto the promise of resurrection and new life.
With this renewed sense of hope and joy, we can continue to persevere, taking one step closer to Jesus this Easter season and beyond. We must remind ourselves that joy will come, and we can look forward to celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and the new life that it brings.
Remember that God knew hope was coming, and He knows it today. #Easter #hope Click To Tweet……“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54 NET)
5. Pause and Ponder
Let the Easter Story come alive by stopping to pause and ponder. Perhaps Jesus wants to reveal a new truth or something for us to focus on this Easter. Dedicating time each day to sit with the Lord might expose something we don’t want to miss this season.
One year, as I tried to glance at Easter, I walked away with gratitude and awe. “Will You Let Easter Pass With Just A Glance?” Last year, the price Jesus paid for our grace penetrated my soul. I am wondering and waiting to see what God will reveal this year.
Examining our hearts is a critical aspect of growing closer to Jesus. Leading up to Easter is a great time to slow down, take stock of our lives, and seek God’s guidance and wisdom.
Please share what aspect of the Easter story has penetrated your heart this year.
One Step Closer To Jesus
Taking one step closer to Jesus this Easter might require deliberate action and a willingness to be vulnerable. What are you willing to implement?
Remember, a community can help us grow our faith. And don’t forget to linger in the pain of Jesus while walking through Holy Week. With an open heart and mind, pause and pray that God will reveal a certain truth He wants you to ponder this Easter. Find your balance, and take that one step closer to Jesus this Easter.
As we allow the Easter story to come alive in our hearts and minds, we can fully appreciate the transformation of pain into hope and joy. Let’s not miss the opportunity to draw closer to Jesus at this fantastic time of year and beyond.
In what way will you take one step closer to Jesus this Easter?
How beautiful. I just love the way you’ve framed this as one step closer. It can feel so overwhelming sometimes, not knowing how to get closer to Jesus, sometimes we just need to take it back to the simple things.
Elanor, Yes, this is so true. Simple can be amazing. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Blessings, Maree
I appreciate our little writing community to help fulfill strategy #1. It truly is encouraging to have other people in our lives who can help us experience the love of God. Hope you have a beautiful Easter, Maree!
Oh, me too. I love our writing group. Happy Easter to you and your family. Maree
Maree,
I found myself agreeing with and “ahemming” with each beautifully written section of your article. The reminder that joy will come encourages me deeply. The promise of Easter holds true for our tomorrows!
Sharing this week on G&T. Happy Easter, friend!
Thank you, Tammy, for your encouragement and for featuring my article. Happy Easter to You and your family. Maree
Maree, your posts always cause me to pause and reflect. I so appreciate each of the steps you offer here to step closer to Jesus. As you shared, prayer encourages humility within us. I believe this may be one of the character attributes He treasures. Thanks for this encouragement, my friend.
Jeanne, You are always such an encouragement to me. You are so right prayer does encourage humility within us. Happy Easter! Maree
Maree, this is beautiful. I am feeling called to pause into the wonder of Holy Week, the suffering and the joy, and what God wants to reveal to me. I am doing a lot of reading and praying. And it is wonderful.
Deborah, I love hearing that you are pausing in Holy Week’s wonder. What a beautiful way to spend your time. You have inspired me to want more of Jesus. Happy Easter! Maree
Such a sweet and powerful post all at the same time! I am seeking to deepen my prayer life this year! Thank you for this beautiful post. I hope you have a wonderful Easter! 🙏💕
Thank you for the Easter wishes. I hope you have a wonderful celebration as you draw closer to Jesus. Maree
Such an encouraging post Maree! We often get so busy preparing for the celebration of Easter as Martha that we forget to sit at Jesus’ feet as Mary did.
Blessings, Jennifer
Yes, I have been known to focus too intently on the preparations. I have to work hard to follow Mary’s example. Happy Easter! Maree
This is powerful, Maree! Thanks for making this practical! I’m pressing into these truths today as I prepare my heart for Easter…
You are so welcome, Stacey. May you have a blessed week preparing for Easter. Maree
Belonging to a supportive community is a real gift. I thank the Lord for my Jesus Girls!
I agree; I don’t know where I would be without community. Happy Easter! Maree