The Next Step - One Step At a Time

One foot in front of another and repeat. That is what I did. My legs were wobbly, yet I continued to take steps. Sometimes I had to hold onto someone.  Sometimes I would fall.  Yet I continued to try and walk.  I was timid, but as time progressed I became more confident of my legs. That is how I learned to walk when I was a child, one step at a time.

That is similar to our walk with God. When we were babies in God, our footsteps were wobbly.  Yet as our relationship with God has become more, our steps become more confident in God.  Yes, we still stumble and fall, but God pulls us up, and we continue.

So when God asks me to take the next step, I have to be willing to take one step at a time.  Through my own insecurities, I will fall.  If I continue to keep my eyes on God then He will guide my steps.  He promised that His word will be a lamp on my feet.

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” Chinese Proverb

My taking the next step isn’t going to be done alone.  God will be there to hold my hand.  The next step requires from me will be one action at a time, one prayer at a time, and one God for it all.  Also, I have a core group of friends and family that are praying with me-for me as I take my journey. I also am praying for my friends and family as they take their next step in what God is asking of them.

Taking that next step that God has for me, for all of us, is something that is exciting, and scary at the same time. Sometimes I still feel like that toddler who is learning to walk.  I am continuing to learn to trust God, to have faith that He will guide me. 

God will not guide us for evil. That is something that I have to remember.  If God is for us who can be against us?  Fear is not from God. I am saying that to myself more than anyone.

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”Isaiah 41:10

Photo by Kartini Maxson

With each step I take that God has asked me to take, I will trust in Him.  I will focus my eyes on God.  He will guide me in the direction He wants.  He will guide each of us in the direction He wants.

Step by step we take that next step in whatever God has called you.  One foot in front of the other, and a LOT of prayer.   God wants us to take that next step with Him on His journey for us.  He only requires one step at a time.

Dear Lord,

You have given each of us the journey called life.  We are taking that next step, one step at a time.  Please, take us by the hand and lead us on the path that You have for each of us.

Laura Maxson

Taking That Next Step!

“That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”  We all know Neil Armstrong’s famous quote as he took his first step onto the face of the moon.  He was a man who knew something about taking the next step.

What next step do you need to be making?  Has God shown you the next step?  If He has, are you taking that step or are you hesitating because you are too scare? Are you hesitating because you don’t see the whole picture?

God has shown me the next steps that He wants me to take in several areas of my life.  However, I am hesitating.  Why? Because I am scared, scared of the unknown. I am scared because I don’t see the whole picture.  I am scared because I don’t even see all the steps that I will need to take.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase – Martin Luther King Jr.

It is scary to take the next step. I don’t know what is out there.  All I see is the step in front of me.  I get a glimpse of the whole picture, but I want the step by step instructions.  On Google Maps, the directions are take a right on this street followed by a left on this street.  All the step by step directions are there.

In life, God gives us direction one step at a time.  I know that so far my journey has been a little bumpy, thanks to me.  I have strayed off the path a time or two, but God redirects me.

This new path that God has for me will take me to something that God has planned.  It is something that God wants me to do.  However, in this continuation of my journey in life, I have to take the first step, a step in faith. 

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” – Lao Tzu

Faith is sometimes a very scary thing.  Let’s be honest, taking the step towards something you have no idea of all the twists and turns is scary.  Life can be scary.  Like driving a road in the dark that you have never driven.

In fact that is what our steps are.  They are driving in the dark on a road we haven’t driven before.  However, our co-driver knows the road.  He  is aware of the pitfalls.  If I focus on Him, He will light my way.

I realize that I am focusing on myself or others.  “What will people think?”  “How will I get this done?” That is the problem.  When my focus is not on God, I will start to sink as Peter did as he was walking on water. Peter sank when he focus was on whether the others in the boat were looking at him instead of looking to Jesus.

If I focus my gaze on Jesus I will take the steps necessary towards Him.  I will walk on water.  Maybe not truly, but my journey will be just as cool.  My focus for the journey needs to be on God.  Each step I take needs to be taken looking to God for direction.

My God will never let me fall. “They word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105.  So step by step, I am going to venture to where God is leading. I will not be afraid of what may come, no matter what it is.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” Philippians 4:6.

It will require a change of focus on my part.  Which is funny, since that is my word for the year.  The next steps will require me to not focus so much inward, but look to God more.  My God has it under control.

The next step, writing my story in book form.  God has impressed me to write that story. For those of you who have read the blog earlier in the year, you will know what I mean.  It will not be an easy feat.

I will need all your prayers for that step.  It will require me to go into the darkness of what I lived for so long.  Yet, I know that with God with me, and you praying for me, I will not be alone.  I am just so scared to delve back into that part of what I used to live in.

So, that is the next step that I get to take.  One of many steps. I am confident that when I start this project, God will guide. I know that I am a complete and whole person in God, a new creation. So, no matter the darkness, the Light of God will shine.

I am doing this for the Glory to God alone.  Soli Deo Gloria.

Dear Lord,

You have given each of us the journey called life.  We only need to look to You for our next steps.  You will guide us.  If we look to You, then we will not sink into the seas of life.  Maybe You have shown us the next steps, but we are too afraid or scared.  Wrap us tightly in Your arms and make us feel Your Love.  You are enough.  You have us in the palm of Your Hand.  I am stepping out in faith Lord.  Amen

Laura Maxson

May Prayer Topic: Take the Next Step

At the end of last month we had out very first Circle of Prayer Retreat. Leading up to this time I was so apprehensive about all the details. How would it go? Who would come? Do they even want to come? Will they get along? What will they expect? Will it meet their expectation?

It takes a long time for this "old man" to die to self (Romans 6:6), but again I'm so thankful for a patient loving Savior who has a plan for me.

Just take the next step.

So planning began. Setting a date. Sending out an email to everyone. Buying books ahead of time. Setting up the speakers. Step by step-one at a time-things began to come together.

As the weekend neared I wasn't sure who exactly would come. Our group is small to start with. 15 to be exact. I felt as if the Lord was wanting me to plan for 10, so that's what we bought supplies for. We started with eight potentially coming, then down to seven, and finally five.

Five Lord? Ok I guess that's better then no one and just me. But, through the words of a friend He reminded me. "Even if it's just you coming out. You'll come to my house, we'll still have the reatreat and the Lord will bless."

I have a hard time putting into words the experience our group of five had. What I felt we lacked in number. God made up in Holy Spirit.

The Spirit moved in His incredible way for all of us. Before that weekend I prayed that if it might be possible that the Lord would give me a glimpse of what our early church leaders experienced during Pentecost.

He took us on a journey. We march around our Jericho's. Those prayers that seemed too impossible to defeat on our own. With each circle around our prayer, our confidence in Christ grew stronger. We prayed through Scripture. The very Word inspired by God Himself, connected us to Him with His Word. We spent time writing purposeful dreams. We spent time alone with Him as we watched our confessions burn away. We put intersession to action. We watched the seed of supplication grow. We took hold of His rock solid promises. We ended the weekend in prayer for each other. Not just any pray, but Old Testament, claim the promise, laying of hands kind of prayer.

And then It came.

Photo by Kartini Maxson

The Holy Spirit wind. Not just in our hearts, but in mighty and physical way! As we were laying hands-praying for each other a real, tangible wind began to blow. It blew so strongly it shook the house. I felt a beam of light pouring over us, wind whipping around the house, as we poured over each other in prayer.
When were finished,  as quickly, loudly, and fiercely as the wind came, we were left in the still. In His still.

Just a glimpse of what it was like. During that Day so long ago. He answered my request and allowed me a Pentecost glimpse of that day.

We excitedly talked about the fire God set in our hearts. About our own dreams-His dreams and His plans for Circle of Prayer.

He exceeded my expectations, once again. He full-filled five lives with wind of change-Holy Spirit change.

It was such a mountain top experience. A time where our sole-soul purpose was connecting with our Creator, Savior,  & Friend.

Then it was over. We had to go home-back to life. Down from the mountain.

But as I come down, I have in my heart the words He spoke to us that weekend. The words He spoke to me. And the assurance that He wants to keep speaking words of truth to me. I just need to listen.

Since I've come home, the words He's been saying.....

Take the Next Step.

A call to action.

What ever it may be. The dream He has made clear in our hearts. That impossible prayer-too hard to defeat on our own.

Then God heard the boy crying, and the Angel of God called to Hagar from the sky, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Don’t be afraid! For God has heard the lad’s cries as he is lying there." Genesis 21:17Living Bible (TLB)

The other day I heard a sermon on this verse. The *pastor explained that when this form of the word "heard" is said in the Bible, God uses it "before He acts on our behalf."

So whatever it is.

Take that next step. Don't be afraid! He has heard your cry and He will act on your behalf!

~kartini r. maxson

*Pastor Bryan DelValle, Modesto Central SDA Church