Today, I kept thinking over and over, progress
requires process. As much as I want to simply step into that place of
arrival, arrival doesn't just happen! After all,
I remember when God first whispered His promise to me;
I was filled with anticipation, excitement, and (naively) envisioned immediate
gratification, accomplishment and fulfillment...TWENTY-FIVE years and a whole
lot of life-tests and battles later, I'm just beginning to see glimmers
of God's promise being fulfilled. Can I tell you, there have been moments of great
testing, sacrifice, and surrender? Moments where I didn't think I could go on?
Moments when I wondered if my Red Sea would part? Moments when the Giant seemed
to pummel me instead of being decapitated?
How about it? Where are you in the process?
Honestly, it sounds inspiring that a thousand miles
begins with a single step but what about step 499...when the elements of the road
have blistered your feet...the elements of the wind and rain have beat against
your weary body...the sun has scorched the life from you...To me...that's where the real
test begins!
Know what I mean?
Know what I mean?
So, what about those moments? How do you press on when you've remained silent to your enemy's accusations but your silence only seems to invite more accusations? When you've remained faithful, seemingly, to no avail? When you've believed for the impossible only to have the impossibilities appear to have triumphed?
Friend, in those situations, there are NO easy answers...but there is
hope...and there are helpful steps we can take:
- So, what do you do at Step 500? Persevere! Take one more step. How? REMEMBER WHO YOU SERVE. God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He loves you. (Isaiah 43:4) And, He will fulfill His promises. (Genesis 28:15) Hold fast to this truth--Your journey isn't over yet. Remember His miracles. Remember His character. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God's intent towards us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)
- What's about help for Step 501? Remind yourself of WHAT HE PROMISED! What has GOD spoken to you? Listen intently for His voice of assurance and comfort. Remember God's promises will come to pass: 2 Cor 1:20-22 says--"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
- Step 502? Align your life with God's truth. How? By speaking and meditating on the truth of His Word. Every day, a barrage of accusations attack our mind and challenge our faith. Scripture highlights that we will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. We overcome because of what CHRIST did for us and we partner with HIM when we align our words, mind, and testimony with HIS TRUTH. For example, the enemy might whisper you aren't strong enough...we might speak back (out loud) You're right...I'M not...but GOD IS...and HE SAYS ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE. The enemy might say you aren't good enough...Again, we respond with the truth...True. But God has forgiven me and removed my sins as far as the east is from the west. GOD's WORD is powerful. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword , it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
Friend, progress requires process. So...take
that step. Do the next right thing. YOUR JOURNEY ISN'T OVER YET!
So true, often the reward is simply knowing you took one more step, survived one more minute, took one more breath, or lifted your head out of shame one more time. The right step is always one more step.
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