Take it One Step at a Time

“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?“ Proverbs 20:24 NLT

In a story published by the Springfield News-Leader soon after the last person crossed the finish line of Sunday’s Bass Pro Marathon (of which I had the blessing of running), the first female overall winner, Kimi Reed, reported that she felt tired but happy. It's always a great day when you can see the finish line," she said. "I love being here in my hometown. It's a big town, but we have a small, close-knit running community." That closeness was felt when Reed heard spectators cheering her name as she ran. The lower, but not freezing, temperatures may have helped Reed, who is fighting a hip issue. “That concerned me a little bit, but it felt great (Sunday)," Reed said. "I think the cooler weather helped." Reed remained focus for most of the race, even going as far avoid looking at her watch while it tracked her running time. "I just told myself, 'One foot in front of the other. One step at a time,'" Reed said.

And you know, when it comes to making it to the finish line of our spiritual race, taking it “one step at a time” is wise advice that most Christians find hard to heed. You see, while God most definitely has our whole life journey mapped out ahead of time, he conceives of that journey as a successive series of small steps which is the way He makes it known to us--hence the reason the psalmist used the term "the Lord directs our steps” rather than the Lord directs our lives even though He actually does both. Knowing that His ways are higher then, you and I would do well to thank Him for leading us as He sees fit and trust Him to keep us on pace and on course… one step at a time. 

So resist the urge to give up when you can't see the whole plan my friend. Don't "try to understand everything along the way." Keep putting "one foot in front of the other" as the Lord leads you each and every day, trusting that He will get you to the finish line at His proper time. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for directing our steps one by one. Without You to guide us, we would lead ourselves into trouble and temptation. Cause us to remember that You always know what’s best for us so that we would trust your timing and follow You wherever it is you’re leading us. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!