Steps

In this Christian journey, life for us is much like that of a infant/toddler learning to walk and talk. We have to follow the leader; that is, God's lead. When we follow God's lead and not our own, we gain strength and confidence. When we follow God's guidance, and not our own, we will know just when to plop down and crawl and when to stand tall.

My 10-month old granddaughter is learning to walk and talk. She murmurs all kinds of sounds in response to those around her. She even mimicks sounds and gestures. She stands for seconds at a time, walks around furniture, stairs (even climbs to the first stair), and anything else that she can grip and steer.

When she is guided by a larger hand and a walker, she is able to walk all over the place. The walker is her protection. She can bump into walls and not get hurt. When she's in her walker, she realizes that she can make it move, but not always in the direction she needs it to go. When she gets in tight corners, she knows to turn around and make a noice to summon help. She takes a fall or two at times. She even stumbles. However, she gets up and does it all over again.

But I notice that when she loses a little self confidence in her steps, has no one to lead her, or has nothing on which to grip and steer, she will plop down on the floor and crawl to her destination. Pretty soon, when she gets more confidence, she will boldly walk on her own. For now, she follows the leader very well, and trusts who's holding her hand.

God guides us in life through our circumstances and experiences. We have the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ to discern danger, caution, success, mistakes, and to know when to make a move and when to stand still.

Our experiences give us the self-confidence to live and learn from our mistakes. Like a toddler, use the guidance of God to steer in the right direction. He will let us know what to say, how to say it, and when to speak. He will let us know when to plop down and crawl and when to simply be still. A fall or a stumble doesn't mean failure. Those experiences teach us how to recover and get up. And the next steps we take will be higher and stronger.

Ask God to order your steps and guide you in the right direction. No need to get anxious for personal gain when we don't acquire the things we want or think we need. Wait on The Lord and let Him guide your heart and your steps. The results will be a stronger spirit, a sound decision, a successful goal, a blessed career, and abundant living.

God wants us to trust Him. He wants to lead us because He knows what's best, and most of all, He knows what's around the corner when we don't have the capacity to discern what's coming next. When we get in a tight corners and/or tight circumstances, call on the ultimate leader and protector for help. He is our protector...walk with Him.