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

Prayer for the Family of the Abused and Abuser

The one thing I have discovered is that with abuse, there are a lot of people that are affected by the actions of one person.  There is the abused, the family and friends of that person, and the abuser.  One action causes a ripple effect through families.  Sometimes we don’t know what to say.

What do you do if you know someone who is still in the healing process after being abused? You need to be there for them. Maybe you can’t help them, but you can listen. You can be their safety net. If they do not want anyone else knowing, then you are their safe place, and you need to respect that.

Maybe the knowledge that your family member or friend has been a victim in the past is too much for you, and you don’t feel comfortable hearing the details.  Share that with them, be honest with them. You see, being honest with them will help alleviate any awkward encounters.

In the instances that you don’t feel comfortable hearing the details, prayer is what you can do to help them.   Pray that God will give your family member or friend the resources to become healthy and whole.  Pray that God will bring into their lives someone who is equipped to help them out, a counselor, or trusted person that will listen.

Also, let you them know, that maybe you can’t listen to the details, but that you are praying for them.  Just the knowledge that you haven’t abandoned them completely, is a comfort.  Don’t be afraid to communicate that with your family member or friend that is in the healing process.

 

“For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

 Luke 21:15

There is something constant that I learned from God.  I learned that God is with me always. I did not have to be alone in my struggle. He is with me always.  He is with you too.

“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 righteous right hand.” 

Isaiah 41:10

Maybe you can’t face that realization that your family member or friend was abused. You blame yourself for not being able to protect them. God is working on you.  I can only imagine what you are going through watching your loved one struggle. I pray that God will give you the peace as well.

Maybe you can’t face the realization that your family member or friend did the abusing. You might blame yourself for not seeing it, and doing something about it.  God is working on you too.  I pray that God will give you the peace from the questions.  You might need to forgive them for yourself too.

If you do know someone that has abused someone, in whatever form, and that person has asked forgiveness and is changing, that is a good thing. 

How do I say that?  I say that because God died for us all.

"For all men (and women) have sinned and have missed the shining-greatness of God."

Roman 3:23

You need to know one thing above all else.  God is with us always.  It is true for all of us, whether you have been abused, are the abuser, know someone who is either the abused or abuser.  He is with us all.

So, with God’s help, and strength, I am shining the light on God.  I am not glorifying the abuse, or the abuser.  God helped me through, and He wants to help us all through our difficulties. This is for God’s glory.

God doesn’t destine abuse of any kind.  Abuse isn’t something He orchestrates for the bigger picture, or to teach a lesson.  However, God can bring out miracles in spite of the abuse.  He can make something beautiful in spite of sin for all of us.

He makes all things new.  He can also make the abuser a new person as well.  Maybe that is something you don’t want to hear, but it is true.  God loves us all.  It may take a long while, but God keeps trying on all of us.  He doesn’t give up on any of us, even in the last moments.

“…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world” 

Matthew 28:20

God has stated that we are all sinners who need grace.  Jesus died for all of us.  He died for all of our sins, not just the sins that are “society approved.”  You know, gossiping or taking the Lord’s name in vain. Jesus died for the murders, the abusers, for all of us.

I have seen my abuser. In fact it was within the last six months.  I hadn’t seen him in over fourteen years. I will admit that I was very apprehensive with the thought of seeing him. However, my prayer was that God would take the apprehensiveness.  You know what? God filled me with a peace that I did not have before.

It was at a funeral of my grandfather, and the abuser is family. God allowed me to see this person with new eyes. I saw a man who needs God just as much as I do. As I listened to him talk to the group, I heard a man who, at the age of over 70, finally got it.  He finally realized that he needed God, and that he had messed up a lot in his life.

He didn’t apologize to me, but that is okay.  I have faith, that in his own way he was apologizing with the words he was saying to our group.  Whether or not he was, I have forgiven him. There is a peace that I have now. God gave that to me.

I don’t have all the answers.  Maybe, some of the questions we have, we won’t have answers for until Jesus comes back again to take us home.  I am pretty sure there are a lot of questions that we won’t have the answer until heaven, and that will have to be okay.  I trust and have faith in God that He is always with me.

Dear Lord

Soli Deo Gloria, (Glory to God alone) – You are with us always, and walk beside us always.  Yes, we have all sinned and fallen short, but You died for us.  You are always with us.  We don’t want to miss the shining greatness of You.  Lord, show us your glory.  You can bring light to all of us.  You have done that for me.  I am a new person because of you.  Thank you for that.  May this blog shine a light on You.

Amen

Laura Maxson