One Step at a Time

Over and over in the Bible, we see God telling his people to do something. For example: we see God telling Joseph to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20); Abram to leave his country (Genesis 12:1); Moses to go to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:10); Ananias to pray for Saul (Acts 9:15); Jonah to go to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1); Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman (Hosea 1:2), and more. A lot of these tasks were scary, daunting, and intimidating, and they created much doubt, fear, and discouragement. Some tasks were done alone or with very few people as God did not always provide or want it done with a group of people. For a person to carry out God's task, he or she had to trust God, have courage, and take the first step. Many of the tasks were not easy, nor were they simple tasks or quick fixes. So don't be surprised if God asks you to do something.

If you are a follower of Christ, more often than not, God will ask you to do something. He may ask you to share your testimony, give something valuable away, adopt or foster a child, move to new city, leave an unhealthy relationship, or stand up for a person or cause. The angel of the LORD may not appear to you, but you know that is what God has asked you to do. He may just speak to your heart, or even send people along to confirm what he is asking you to do. Regardless of the circumstance, we need to trust God and take the first step in faith. God may only give us a direction or two, but we will not know the next steps until we take that first step. This requires courage and faith. As humans, we want confirmation or affirmations from God. We can be just like Gideon. When God tells Gideon to fight the Midianites, Gideon was afraid and asked God three times for a sign (Judges 6:33-40). He doubted himself, God, and lacked courage. However, he eventually did what God asked and was successful.

Doing a scary task is hard for me, and I struggle with this. I am someone who likes to plan. I like to prepare. I like to-do lists, and I like to know the 10 steps. So when God asks me to do something, its very difficult because I want all the details. I want to know the what, why, when, how, where, and more. It's scary not knowing what is going to happen, and sometimes it's easier to not do it. God has asked me to do many things that were scary and uncomfortable. When given a task that I don't want to do, I think of all the reasons why I shouldn't do it, and negative thoughts swirl around in my head--all the what-if scenarios. Then fear sets it.  Fear can be paralyzing, but we most overcome fear with faith. Faith and fear cancel one another out. What is faith you ask? The Bible tells us that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. We must believe that what God asks us to do will work out. We must believe that God will keep us safe. Though we may not see the outcome, we have hope that God will do what He said He would do.  We must live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) because  without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

When I eventually come to my senses, I decide to go for it, even if I have to do it afraid. I do it, because I love God and because I want to listen to Him. I want to be obedient and pleasing to Him. God, however, won't ever force us to do something. He gives us freewill and we can decide to do it or not. I can honestly say though, that each time I did what God told me to (no matter how hard it was), I never regretted it. I am not saying the outcome is always what we want or think it will be, but we must do our part, and trust God to do the rest. The Christian life requires faith, and we've all been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Work those faith muscles, be brave, and start doing what God asks you to do.  For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). Remember that the path God tells us to take isn't always filled with people, but can be lonely. Remember the story of Noah and the Ark? He had no one to support him, but his family. Be encouraged, and don't forget that we are told by Jesus to take the narrow road that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Do what God asks, one step at a time.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

I praise You and thank You. You are so mighty and faithful, loving and powerful, merciful and kind. You are the One true God, the LORD of all the heavens and earth. Everything was made by You and for You. Father God, thank You for giving us all a measure of faith. I know that You are helping to grow our faith. Give us courage. Stretch us and refine us. We are sorry when we don't listen or when we doubt You. We are sorry for when we don't trust You. Please forgive us. We know that You are good and that You are for us. The things You ask us to do can be scary, but they are for our benefit and the benefit of others. Teach us how to face our fears and stretch our faith. Help us to do things, even if we have to do it afraid. As we take our first step, You are right there with us. You will never leave us or forsake us. Make us into the bold and courageous men and women of God You have called us to be. Remind us of Your love and goodness. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam