Is it just me, or is the thought of starting out on a big journey intimidating. If you are anything like me, you probably tend to dread the journey…and just want to hurry up and reach the finish line.
Like some of you, I can talk myself out of even starting by just thinking about the seemingly impossible goal ahead. And one of the things I struggle with the most is, those small steps.
You know the steps I’m talking about, right? The steps that don’t seem to really make a difference at all. The steps that make you feel like an amateur and unworthy of the destination. Those steps can be so frustrating, because the truth is, you want to be doing so much more. But the small steps seems to be the only thing you can do right now.
But on this journey I currently find myself, I’m learning that the small steps matter too. That the small steps aren’t just the gateway to the bigger steps, but they’re also some of the most important ones.
Surprise! The first step is actually the biggest step. Like I used to believe, you probably assumed the middle steps or the final steps on your goal journey was the most important steps. Nope, it turns out that very first step, is the one.
So, what makes the first step such a big deal?
The first step is the step that many people never take.
Think about it, if you never take step one, you have no chance of ever getting to step two, or step three, or so on. The first step, is that step that officially crosses you over from where you are to where you want to be.
The first step is where you step out in courage and faith and make the decision that you want to accomplish something big in your life. It’s the step where you declare, my time is now!
We don’t appreciate this step enough. Because as I mentioned about myself, our eyes are fixed on the finish line. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But if all your vision allows you to see is the
end goal, and not the fact that you’ve set out to accomplish something major, or the many successes along the way, you stand to miss a whole lot.
Little steps lead to bigger steps. The good news is, your little steps do lead to bigger steps, because no matter how little the step is your taking, it keeps you on the road of progress.
When I think of little steps leading to bigger steps, I can’t help but think of Joshua. For years, Joshua had an up close and personal seat, as the assistant to Moses (Exodus 33:11), one of God’s greatest Prophets and the one chosen to deliver the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, and lead them into the Promised Land; a land God promised to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:17-21), a land flowing with Milk and Honey (Exodus 3:8).
In fact, at the end of Deuteronomy in chapter 34, the bible says of Moses, that there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel, whom the Lord knew face to face. None like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land; and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
And Joshua, his loyal and faithful servant, witnessed it all.
I imagine during this time, Joshua was probably eager to be used by God in big ways too. I mean, he saw Moses doing some pretty cool things, and probably wanted to achieve some bigger steps himself.
But the bible never mentions Joshua getting stuck on the smaller steps. In fact, all the bible ever does is speak well of him. That gives us an indication that although he may have longed for bigger steps, he saw the importance and value in the smaller ones too.
And if you’re familiar with the bible, you know what comes after the book of Deuteronomy.
Can you guess?
It’s the book of Joshua. Joshua, Moses’ loyal and faithful servant, succeeded Moses after his death, as God’s chosen leader of Israel. And it was Joshua, not Moses, who ended up having the privilege of leading the people of Israel into the long-awaited Promised Land.
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them---to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates---all the Hittite country---to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” (Joshua 1:1-6).
Joshua’s faithful small steps, put him into position to take the biggest step of all (well, second to the very first step that is).
Resist the urge to compare your steps to others. As I mentioned about Joshua, he was Moses’ assistant, but eventually God chose him as Moses’ successor, and as the chosen one to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land.
I think we can all agree, that if Joshua had gotten caught up in jealousy or the all to infamous comparison trap, he would have never made it to this step.
I believe the same is true for us as well.
If we spend all of our time looking at what others are accomplishing, wishing we were them, or wishing we were where they are on their journey, we’ll never get to where we want to be.
Now I’m not condemning having respect and admiration for people’s accomplishments. I’m talking about getting so caught up in where they are, that you can’t appreciate where you are, or how far you’ve come.
When admiration for others and their journey crosses over to jealousy or a lack of gratitude for your own progress, then you have a problem.
One of the best ways you can resist the urge to compare yourself to others, is by celebrating and being grateful for every step and every opportunity, no matter how small they are.
Learn to celebrate your successes big or small. When I say celebrate your successes, I’m not necessarily talking about throwing a party, and ordering cupcakes. But what I do mean is, take some time to acknowledge how far you’ve come, and take some time to express gratitude for where you are, in light of where you used to be.
Don’t discount your steps as being insignificant or invaluable, just because they’re small. You’ve gone further than you’ve ever gone before; that’s something to be proud of!
Your small steps matter. And as long as they are leading you to accomplish your big goal, they are the right steps for this phase of your journey.
Remember, it’s okay to keep your eyes on the end goal, as long as your vision is big enough to see and appreciate the whole journey.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord
establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9).
Without a doubt, it is God’s love for me and His care over my life, that gives me the courage to plan big goals and initiate steps.
Why?
Because I know it is He who establishes my steps.
I can be confident that if I am heading in the wrong direction at any time in my life, God will help me to course correct. He establishes my steps. Therefore, I don’t have to be afraid to step out and try new things, big things, because He is with me.
Do you have this confidence in God?
It’s a confidence that comes from spending time in His presence and in His Word. It’s a confidence that grows as your trust grows in Him.
If you desire an unshakeable trust and confidence in God, I encourage you to spend time with Him. Get into His Word, the bible, and learn about His character, about Who He is
As you do, like me, you’ll quickly find that His love for you is perfect, and you can trust Him, with every part of your life.
Peace be with you, today and always.
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