In the pre-dawn beauty of a Kansas morning, all I hear is my feet hitting the pavement. I went on a run this morning as I frequently do and conquered.
I really like the way I feel when I run. And many days, I like my time out by myself when no one else is really out there. It’s quiet and peaceful, allowing me to get my brain together and have some time with Jesus before craziness ensues.
As is the case many days, today I fought the urge to not even leave the house. My husband points out sometimes the victory is the fact that we went, having nothing to do with distance or speed. Today was one of those days. I simply had to take one step, and then another, and then another. One step at a time and I made it, feeling better, stronger, and ready for my day.
My walk with the Lord has been just like that these days. I start to think I have to win some race or go farther than anyone, but that is not what this is about at all. My Christian walk is simply about taking one step, and then another, and then another. One step at a time and we make it.
It takes some work and some discipline. Much like fitness, this Christian maturity does not come by osmosis or wishful thinking. There is no fast track or shortcut. We simply be obedient today and then tomorrow do the same thing.
God blesses. God strengthens. God provides. God walks with us, but we still have to show up, to walk out the door and start.
Seek Him, follow Him, spend time with Him. We have to pull out our Bibles and read, take the time to pray…and listen, look for Him at work around us, and be obedient. Sounds easy till we get tired, till we are doing it alone, or till we would just rather do something else. We’ve all fallen victim at one time or another. We’ve all failed.
Let’s make a deal…we do it today. Only the things He calls us to – no more, no less. We simply seek Him today, then we get up tomorrow and do the same thing. One step at a time. Are you in? We live a life of faithfulness, because we started with a day. Today is that day.
Hi Kori,
Yes! We have to just take the step. I needed to read that. Your husband is correct in that sometimes the victory is in the fact that we went; not how far, not how long. The perfectionist, organized tendencies of mine sometimes get in the way. Like you said, they make me (us) want to “stay home.” Thanks for the words of encouragement and the thought provoking rhetoricals.
All the best from NJ,
Lori
Lori – It is so good to hear from you! I know the perfectionist, organized tendencies well. I battle those frequently. I also seem to have something ingrained in me that thinks I am competing against something – I still haven’t figured out what, probably some figment of what I think I should be. I have to frequently remember grace…and the fact that I just need to keep going, to keep taking steps. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lori!