I was listening to a message from Pastor Rick Warren and he said that God gives us stepping stones to lead us on His path. I really liked that visual. It made me think back to some actual stepping stones I have walked on.
One set of stepping stones, were placed as a sidewalk leading to someone’s house. These stones were large pavers. They were set spaced close together. They were easy to walk on. It made the path easy. I didn’t have to give it any thought. My feet just walked normally along the path. I reached the destination without any problems or effort.
Another set of stepping stones that I have walked on were in a creek by a house I grew up in. I would take my shoes off and go barefoot in the creek. I spent a lot of time stepping on those stones.
Those stones, or rather large rocks, were slippery and slick. They had years of water running over them. They were smooth and often moss covered. When you stepped on them, you had to stop and get your balance before you stepped to the next one.
Theses stepping stones were not placed close together. You often had to leap to reach the next one.
Sometimes I would land just right. Oh that felt so good. Like a major accomplishment had happened!
Sometimes I would miss the mark or slide off the stone into the water. I felt a little defeated, but I stepped out of the water and onto the stone.
Then I would look to the next stone. Get my balance and determine how much of a leap I’d need to take to reach it.
Thinking back on this process. I would occasionally look up to see how much farther I needed to go to reach the other bank. Sometimes I would look back to see how far I had come.
But mostly, my focus was on the next stone.
That’s where I am in my faith journey. Looking to the next stone to step on. Unlike the creek bed, though, I can’t see to the other side. Which, honestly, makes me frustrated at times. I like to know where I am going, at least for the near future. I can look back to see how far I’ve come.
But I have learned that I keep better balance when I look at the stone right in front of me.
I still have to determine how much of a leap I have to take to get there. Some of these ‘leaps of faith’ have been long leaps. Some of the ‘leaps of faith’ have been shorter and much easier to reach. I thank the Lord that He knows when I need shorter ones to keep me motivated to keep leaping and not give up.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for placing stepping stones on the path to You. Thank you for your strength and help to keep going when I feel I miss the mark. Thank you for knowing what I need and meeting my needs. In Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.