It Starts with one Step

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 NKJV

“I RAN TWO MILES AND DIDN’T STOP ONCE! Listen, I know I used to run a lot but it’s been three years and 25 lbs ago. I had a 10:07 pace, I’m used to having a Garmin and I didn’t know how to stop my watch so this time is wrong. However I am happy because it all starts with ONE step!!!!”

This was the post written by my dear friend, Tye, on Wednesday who had taken a long hiatus from running. As I read it, I thought to myself, “I don’t remember the exact day that my marathon loving buddy quit running altogether but I do know that it didn’t happen overnight. It started with a missed workout here and another one there until it turned into a slow fade that ended with her running shoes being put away.” 

Which is the very reason I was ecstatic to read (and see the selfie she posted) that Tye had taken “that one step” that lead to getting out the door and running two miles--that one step that I pray will lead to a renewed commitment to the sport that she once loved so much and will have her back enjoying the enormous benefits that come from running.

And, you know, sadly, this type of “slow fade” where a person makes a chain of decisions that leads to a full falling away from something they once loved isn’t only restricted to our physical habits, but to our spiritual ones as well. 

You see, a spiritual “slow fade" is a quiet, subtle drift from God that happens over time. It rarely starts with a sudden rejection of faith; instead, it usually begins with a small compromise here, a missed morning of prayer there, a few days of zero Bible study, and a growing weariness of meditating on the Word. Over time, these subtle adjustments (that seem very small at the time) eventually lead to living out a new routine that replaces the routine genuine intimacy with God that a person loved so much.

The good news, though, is this... although it takes time and effort to rebuild running endurance, regaining your relationship with Christ is as simple as taking that "one step" of  “drawing near to God” which leads to God taking a thousand steps to draw near to you. Is that amazing or what? The more you step towards God, the more He steps towards you!

This means that no matter how far you might have drifted away from the Lord, when you make a genuine effort to turn to Him, He will always meet you where you are and immediately restore your fellowship with Him. 

So, if you've taken a hiatus from the Lord, make today the day that you take that one step towards the Lord my friend. Then “cleanse your hands" by turning away from the sinful behaviors that got you off track, and "purify your heart" by addressing the "double-mindedness" of trying to live a life with divided loyalties (attempting to chase both worldly desires and God's will at the same time) so that you can, once again, have that sweet fellowship with the Father. You'll be so happy that you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who restores those who have drifted away. Lord, I pray for that person who has gone astray today and wondering if You will accept them back that they will take a step towards You and see that You are running back to them. Thank You for being the God who welcomes those who have lost their way to come back home. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!