"The Next Step"

"The Next Step"    

    

     

   Frances and I  look forward to this coming Saturday, when we hope to fulfill a long-planned goal.  We will compete (well, not actually compete) in what we're calling the Orange Moon Marathon (a walking version, actually, of which we are the only two entrants).  We plan on starting the journey long before sunrise, and will try to finish by early afternoon.  As referenced, we've been planning such an event for the last several years, and we're excited about finally making the attempt.  Heretofore, our longest walk was 23.17 miles during a hike last year, so we're confident that by God's grace, we can successfully finish our personal marathon.  Frances has plotted our route, and we'll zig and zag around Mobile streets until doubtless exhausting all our zigs and zags.  Oh yes, would you believe that I plan on riding in a little red wagon that Frances will pull behind her throughout the entire walk?  :):)  Well, if we actually had a little red wagon...

   I share this with you because the Bible frequently references relationship with God in terms of a "walk".  Living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ involves a step by step process of putting one spiritual foot in front of another, as it were.  The Apostle Paul uses terminology that confirms this truth, describing the Christian life in terms of "faith to faith" (Romans 1:17).  One step of trusting and submitting to God leads to another, and another, and another.  Thus, we never rest upon laurels, knowing that regardless of how well we may overcome present challenges by God's grace received through faith, others await us just around the corner.  Walking with our Lord presents born again believers with the ongoing opportunity to do that for which He spiritually birthed us: "The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11).  This involves countless moments when we must consciously and decisively determine to believe the Word of God in the face of anything or anyone that may contradict its perfect Truth.  "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I John 5:4).

    If our calculations are correct, we will walk about 60,000 steps this Saturday.  But only one at a time.  The same holds true of the far more important walk by faith to which our Lord calls His trusting children.  We cannot specifically commit our trust regarding the challenges down the road.  We rather face the step, the next step, at hand.  Am I trusting God regarding the present matters of my life, and the lives of those to whom God has given me responsibility?  If so, further steps will follow "from faith to faith".  I'll try to think a lot about this vital truth on Saturday, and hope that it strengthens my understanding and resolve to "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  We'll appreciate your prayers, by the way, and oh yes, does anybody have a little red wagon?

"In Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee."

(Psalm 143:8)

Weekly Memory Verse 

   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

(Psalm 46:1)