One Step at a Time

Trips are fun, but often daunting. Going 100 miles isn’t that bad, but add a “0” to that number and it’s a whole new kind of journey. Our daily lives are often lived on repeat. We call this routine. Nothing wrong with it, in fact most people enjoy it. Yet, among the routine of each day, there are undoubtedly big thoughts we acknowledge in our headspace and then quickly dismiss.

Here are some of those thoughts:

  • “I should spend uninterrupted time with God on the daily.”
  • “My spouse and I really need to talk about…”
  • “I really need to talk with my 8 year old, 10 year old, teenager about…”
  • “I’ve been struggling and need help with...”
  • “I need to start this, stop that, talk with him, speak with her.”

All of these and more most likely pass through our minds more often than we’d like to admit. They rarely fit into our “routine” so we stuff them into the junk drawer of our minds. We dismiss them with the thought, “Not today. Maybe tomorrow or this weekend.” Even Baptists know how that dance goes.

Conversations and actions of this caliber aren’t like a trip to Piggly Wiggly or Walmart. They feel more like a mission trip to Kazakhstan. They aren’t going to happen nonchalantly or get accomplished quickly. THAT conversation probably needs to be a series of intentional conversations that happen over time. Just like a 1000 mile trip will take more than one day of planning.

Chinese sage Laotze once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.” God’s grace enables us to take difficult journeys and energizes us for each step.

While our lives may be filled with routine, it's also true our lives are filled with steps. For the Christian, our steps can be grace filled and grace fueled. This means each conversation, every car ride, and all the normal nights at home can be intentional and powerful moments by the grace of our all-sufficient Savior.

When writing about his own weakness, the Apostle Paul made this comment,

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

We are weak. He is strong. The steps we take each day will feel like plodding through mud if we walk in our own strength. The intentional, purposeful, and fulfilling steps we all desire find traction when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ and His all-sufficient power. His grace is sufficient for every step you take.  The joy of the Christian is rooted in the reality that we walk with the One who is full of grace and truth, Jesus Christ our Lord.

So, what step will you take today?