The Next Step

I recently was in a discussion where the phrase “you are trying to make that last step without taking the next step” was presented. It was stated in the context of dating. How often we, women, think we have to know one hundred percent about the future before we can move forward in the current. Writing it out sounds ridiculous as it is and yet it is exactly what we do.

How many of us fall prey to this thinking in many aspects of life? How many missed opportunities have we had because we let our minds run so far ahead into the unknown with no known answers because our thoughts have no true backing. They’re just what ifs, maybes, non-realities.

This sentiment goes well with an excerpt I read yesterday as follows:

“I once met a poor woman who earned a meager living through hard domestic labor but was a joyful, triumphant Christian. Another Christian lady, who was quite sullen, said to her one day, “Nancy, I understand your happiness today, but I would think your future prospects would sober you. Suppose, for instance, you experience a time of illness and are unable to work. Or suppose your present employers move away, and you cannot find work elsewhere. Or suppose —“

“Stop!” cried Nancy. “I never ‘suppose.’ ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’ [Psalm 23:1]. And besides,” she added to her gloomy friend, “it’s all that ‘supposing’ that’s making you so miserable. You’d better give that up and simply trust the Lord.” (Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman, pg.224)

Need I write more. This day may you consider that next step you’ve been holding off because you’re trying to make that final step first, you can’t. Just take that next step. That final step is most often an ‘absolutely not’ because you don’t know enough yet. But that next step more than likely is an ‘absolutely yes’ because with what you do know the only thing holding you back is fear of the unknown. Don’t let fear stop you from moving forward. As time unfolds truths will be presented and clarity will be provided to make that final decision.

And don’t be that gloomy friend supposing all the time. Be the one who is not afraid to trust an unknown future because you know your Shepherd and your Shepherd is leading and with what He has presented with you this day, not tomorrow, your answer is clearly before you. Remember you don’t need to know that last step to take that next step, you just need to know your Shepherd.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Trust and depend on God’s guidance daily, step by step —this is the answer.