TAKE THE STEP

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

This past weekend I attended the Inaugural graduation ceremony for the Masters of Nursing Students at Cedarville University. Now that my wife is firmly ensconced in the world of academia this will be just the first of many of these types of things in the future I am sure.

And as with all graduations and commencements, there were lots of speeches and “thank you’s” delivered but one little recurring theme struck me.

To be on that stage, to be either giving or receiving recognition, each individual took a “step of faith”.

The student required a “step of faith” to move forward toward this degree. The professors took their “step of faith” sometime prior with an eye to teaching the next generation and now in faith they were entrusting this new class to carry the legacy and represent the school with distinction.

And while these are “big steps of faith”, many of us make little ones all the time. Trusting the McDonald’s team to safely prepare your McWhatever is a step of faith. Trusting that assembly line team in charge of the brakes on the car to have done their job effectively and safely requires a step of faith.

Yet often we are presented with more thought provoking "steps of faith”.

Should I take this new job? Should I move across the country? Should I marry this person?

And quite often God calls us into something we just can’t see or we just don’t understand what is drawing us in; asking us to make a step of faith.

GOD wants us to trust Him and step into the unknown. He sets goals for us that are beyond our knowledge, experience, and control. And if you are like me, not “having control” is enough to paralyze me and keep me from trying.

But if IT were something we could know, then it wouldn’t be a matter of faith. And GOD is all about the faith!

Hebrews 11:1-2

…faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Sadly many of us can’t take that first step. We freeze before we enroll. We doubt our abilities to teach or lead. We stare at the mountain and convince ourselves it can’t be moved. We look at the problem and believe it has no solution.

And as a result many of us miss out on the celebrations and graduations, the journeys and the accomplishments because we never took that step; that first most important step.

So ask yourself today, are you willing like Beth’s students to step out and follow the Lord’s leading, even when you don’t know where He’s leading you? Are you willing to face the problem before you have a solution?

God knows where that first step will take you. GOD has placed that burning in your heart and mind for what it will bring to you and for you. GOD has called you to something amazing. That is a promise.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.

Is today the day for you to take your next step of faith?

Then take it!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney