Wandering from God was a theme of Christian teaching long before that hymn was written. Jesus himself addresses the topic in the parable of the prodigal son. As an older adult, if you feel you've wandered from God at any point in your life, you can be certain you're not the only one who's experienced that situation. You can also rest on the assurance that, like the father in the prodigal son story, God is waiting to welcome you back with open and joy-filled arms.
If you feel like you've wandered from God, here are some tips for getting back to him.
God isn't angry with those who wander and resentful when they return. Heaven rejoices when someone returns to God — Jesus says so in the prodigal son parable.
Luke 15:20 describes the reception the son receives when he finally returns home. It says, "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
After that, the Bible notes that the father threw a party to celebrate the son's homecoming. Whether you've wandered just a bit recently from God or you feel like it's been a lifetime away from him, know that he will welcome you back with the same open arms when you decide to return.
If you're not sure how to get back to God, open your Bible. Take it a few steps at a time. Some people may be tempted to jump right into a major Bible study or stock up on theology and Christian living books.
Binging your way through the Christian bookstore doesn't speed up your path back to God, though, and can actually derail it. If you create unreasonable expectations for yourself, you may fail at those studies and readings and think that means you haven't returned to God.
God doesn't measure his relationship with you in pages read or even minutes you spend staring at the Scriptures. His Word is meant to be a living document to help you commune with him, not a textbook to cram for an upcoming exam.
Consider starting with a few verses or a single parable each day. Meditate on those small readings throughout the day, asking yourself what God might want to say to you through them.
Don't know where to start? Consider:
Prayer is an important step in your journey back to God. Open up conversation with him in a way that feels natural for you. You can pray silently or out loud, talking to God as you'd talk with a friend. If you find that hard, consider prayer journaling. Write in a notebook as if you're writing letters to God.
If you don't know how to start, use this formula:
It's easier to get back to God and remain in fellowship with him when you're regularly in fellowship with people who love him. Residents in the faith-based independent and assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella have the benefit of living in a community of other believers.
You might seek out a church community if you don't already have one or look for senior Bible studies in your area to connect with others seeking God.
Look for ways to bring worship and thanksgiving into your daily life beyond prayer and Bible study. Download a free streaming service like Spotify and create a worship playlist of music that helps you connect with God. Or seek him in everyday moments. Look for the signs of his love and creation as you walk outdoors, and take time to thank him for small things — even if it's a great parking place at a crowded store or a moment of peace in an otherwise busy day.
If you make getting back to God a giant to-do list, it feels like a chore instead of a walk with a friend. Instead, take it one small step at a time. Choose one thing you can do today or this week to bring yourself closer to God.
