Step By Step

It is said that life is a journey, and every journey begins with a step. Some steps are confident, sure and full of promise, while others can be tentative, cautious or even unwilling. It's interesting, when I think of taking steps, I can't help but think of the parable of the talents. Two servants took what was given to them and moved forward, while one took what was given to him and buried it (or froze). This has me thinking about how often we can seemingly hit a brick wall.

So what is it that can make you clam up, freeze, or shut down? Often, it can be a traumatic event that brings to you a screeching stop. How do you move on after a death, divorce, injury or other life-changing event? What a challenge! There is no easy solution, except to slowly (and often painfully) put one step in front of the other. I've come to understand how deeply a tragedy can impact your life and all you want to do is curl up under a blanket and block out the rest of life. While grieving or dealing with the situation is vital, a part of healing is beginning to step again.

What about the infamous "rat race" or "getting stuck in a rut"? It's easy, comfortable, and predictable, but not necessarily what we are to always do with our life. Carving out a new path is hard, especially if it's not just for you, but for your family as well. It was just over a year ago, that I felt God was asking our family to carve out a new path. Well I acknowledged it, I didn't know exactly what that would look like. Our trip to Mexico certainly shifted our thinking (which is a good start), but where the path goes from here, I don't honesty know . . .

Which brings up another aspect of stepping forward. We often don't see the whole path, but only a small glimpse of what is next to come. This can be very unnerving for planners like me! I think often of Peter, disciple of Christ. When Jesus came walking on the water, Peter put out a challenge, asking if it were really Him, to ask him to come. Can you imagine what Peter felt when Jesus said, "Come"? Peter didn't know if the water would hold him, he didn't know what would happen in the storm, but he did step out. Even when the waves overwhelmed him, Jesus was right there. Wow! What if we are too scared to take the first step and miss the miracle? I don't want security and comfort to keep me from having the courage to step out when God calls me.


I am reminded that our Christian walk was never designed to be easy, but God has promised to always be with us! Let's just keep stepping forward and trust that God will direct our path.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5 & 6

I Choose Patience

Have you ever had your words come back and really bite you? Well, welcome to my week! Over the past weeks, I've been able to (hopefully) speak encouragement, remind others of how God has a plan, and be confident that we can rest in Jesus and trust Him for everything, from healing, to provision or clarity. Over this past week, I have been stretched in every way. Words that I have spoken or written have come straight back to me to apply myself.

The Bible is clear that we are to be hearers and doers of the Word, not just doers. For me, I can't just share my convictions, I need to follow them myself.

For example, I know God is our Healer. He has healed me physically and touched my heart and brought healing to my emotions. So, this past week, I have experienced the need for physical healing. Do I believe God can? Absolutely! Do I acknowledge the need to trust Him? Totally. Am I completely healed? Not yet, but it's a process that is taking place in my body, but the, it's an area of trust that's being strengthened in me.

Decisions and God's future plans have also been considered this week. . .Jeremiah 29:11 has echoed through my heart several times a day. God does have a plan for me and my family, it's not to harm me, but there's hope and a future. I just need to trust. . .and rest.

Fear has been another big one this week. Standing up for my convictions at the risk of people being displeased (HUGE for me, as I can't stand anyone being displeased with me). Can I step out and not be crushed (I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength).

Perhaps my biggest giant this week has been trust. Can I truly trust God with my innermost hopes, dreams and fears. Can I trust that He will show me His best without me second-guessing myself? Can I have peace in knowing that He will truly be there for me?

As I've walked through this past week, I've realized that while I know the answer to each of these questions (deep down, even though I may not want to admit it), I need to CHOOSE.

I need to choose to trust God for my healing, even though my symptoms are still present. I need to choose to accept that God has plans for me and not worry about tomorrow (tomorrow has enough worries of it's own, and does worry accomplish anything?). I need to be confident that when God lays something on my heart, I need to share it (prayerfully and in love) and choose to leave the end result in God's hands. I need to choose to trust God no matter what--that includes my family, my future, my dreams. I don't want sleepless nights filled with worry, I don't want headaches from stress. I choose to wait on God today. I choose patience.

Waiting

Have you ever been on a roller coaster? When it starts, you usually go around a curve and slowly up to the top. As you approach the crest of the hill, there's a moment or two just as you reach the peak that your heart is pounding and your stomach is in your throat because you know that the ride is going to be wild and crazy. . .and there's definitely no turning back.

I kind of felt like that today. Not because we signed up for any new or crazy adventure, instead, it was because I could see my family members getting struck by a sudden stomach flu one by one and I dreaded the thought of being sick. Fatigue from an interrupted night and a queasy stomach certainly added to my paranoia. I felt like I was on a ride I couldn't control and sooner or later I would succumb to the sickness. As the day carried on, I was torn between laying down and just letting it "hit me", or carrying on and doing all I could. I opted to carry on.

Oh how this parallels with life. So many times we feel overwhelmed with circumstances, fatigue, depression, sickness or grief. Just the thought of carrying on brings tears to our eyes. Subconsciously (or not), we are waiting for the other shoe to drop so we can succumb to or weakness. But wait, this is not what God intended! He has said that in our weakness, we are made strong, He has said He gives strength to the weary, He has said His grace is sufficient for us. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength.

There is no excuse. . .rats! I think what we fail to acknowledge is the need to carry on in HIS strength. Our strength in and of itself is rather pathetic, but with God's strength, look out!

Going back to the roller coaster, it's scary, it's fast, it can sometimes make you sick, but it's under control. What is even better, is when life feels like a roller coaster ride, you are not alone, God is right there with you, every step of the way, never letting you go!

For me, whatever tonight (or tomorrow) brings, I am choosing to trust God.