Baby Steps

All of us have done it. Some of us have even had the privilege of participating in it as adults. But we all have also seen it as we've grown up. What "it" is, is a small infant learning to walk.

What most of us fail to realize it the incredible process they have gone through to get there. They have progressed from laying there helplessly, to raising their heads, to rolling over, to crawling and ultimately to taking their first unaided steps to finally running down the hall away from us. It is quite a sight to see and experience. We call this transition "baby steps."

It really is the culmination of their personal journey to freedom. This usually happens within the span of 1 year or so, give or take a few months. It is literally like entering into an amusement park as they now have the opportunity for many new experiences.

So much in our spiritual life mirrors the physical. I believe this to be true here also. Our spiritual relationship with God is termed to be a spiritual new birth. We are born into the family of God by faith in the sacrifice of HIS dear Son, Jesus. Realizing HIS death for us and placing our trust in HIM to save us, God seals this trust with HIS Spirit which brings about the NEW BIRTH. Once this happens we begin the process of growing, much like a child does physically.

In this process of growth God, like a loving parent, calls us to make "baby steps" towards HIM. These are always steps of faith. Have you ever watched as a loving father or mother calls for their toddler to let go and walk from one parent to another? Sure you have! In the beginning they take one step and fall down and immediately start crawling. The parent picks them up and says you will be fine, let's try this again. Never doubting they can do it. Believing fully in them and the parents ability to protect and guide them they urge them to try again. And again, and again, and again until they GETIT! Then the real journey of life begins!

God does much the same with us. He calls us to take the step. When we fall, which we will, HE says... "get up, you'll be ok." HE keeps calling us and urging us to trust HIM and come to HIM till we see that we will be fine and we can do this , with HIS help and guidance. These too are steps of faith.

Imagine seeing a 20 year old crawling his way to a college class. What would you think? Or a 40 year old crawling his way into an elevator, headed to work. What would you say? How sad? How tragic? Or maybe...get up, you can do it! But I can't they may say in return. They question, doubt and ultimately will never become what they could be, because they have not exercised faith but shrunk away in doubt.

What area of your life is God asking you to take a step of faith? All of us are there. HE regularly calls us to trust HIM and HIM alone and make a move. Remember Hebrews, "without faith it is impossible to please HIM." Of course this contextually is talking about saving faith, but this same is true throughout our life with God!

Oh my precious friend, take the step. Come to HIM by faith. HE calls us to trust HIM in everything. Relationally, financially, emotionally and in every area of our lives. You will fall down, you will experience fear, you will experience pain but you must grow! You will never be all HE has planned until you do. Remember, HE will never fail you. HE will never turn HIS back on you. Like a loving parent HE calls, waits and watches. This is really a heart issue. Not an issue of HIS heart but ours. Do we believe in our hearts that HE will be there, help us and lead us??? I can say after 30 plus year of taking baby steps....HE IS FAITHFUL!!! Take a baby step today. Come on, you can do it!!! .........................See, I told you!

Blessings,
Bruce