As I celebrate Christmastime with my family and the wonder of God sending His Son into the world to give us a Living Hope and freedom, I think about the steps He made. He stepped out of the glory of Heaven to enter our world and stepped in to our lives, calling us to come to Him and follow Him in newness of life. He also stepped around the obstacles that seemed to bar him entrance into the purpose of which He came. He stepped up in living a life of righteousness and integrity and was, in fact, perfect and without sin so that He could be our spotless sacrifice as He gave up His life so that we might live eternally.
As we walk in this incredible trek of life He has laid out for each of us, we also have the opportunities to make and take the steps that bring us joy in this journey and further towards our ultimate destination.
*Stepping up. As we step up and make choices to live with integrity and an eternal perspective and living to please God instead of other people first, we experience some tremendous blessings.
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in His way." - Psalm 37:23
As we take the steps of obedience, though definitely sometimes hard, and take time to delight in the LORD in reading and studying the Bible, His Word, and in showing Him worth by living worthy lives marked by worship - it is then that we can be assured that the directions we take are true North and full of rejoicing, knowing He is there with us.
*Stepping out. There are timed we simply need to step out in faith. There are moments when we come to an uncrossable river or gorge and can take what God says and promises in His Word and step out to see the bridge appear below us. Praying that God will grow our faith and strengthen us along the way is always a step out and ahead. And He makes known to us the absolute best direction as we ask Him as we treasure the Scriptures.
"You make known to me the path of life: in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.: - Psalm 16:11
*Stepping around/over/through. Many times as we venture out into life we run into things that trip us up or weigh us down or pull us back or darken our view. The three enemies of our soul rear their ugly heads, sometimes ferociously like a lion, and threaten to attempt to undo us, but as we follow Christ and trust and obey Him, we stay on track. Also, when the trials and tribulations of this world bring us to places of confusion or intense pain, He lets us know that though we walk in the valleys and shadows for a season, He is with us a very present help in trouble. When the pain of the present or the past arises, we have the chance to step through valleys and around the things that have tried to block us from moving fearlessly ahead. With His comfort and guidance, the road is navigable and even can hold joy. And another way of traversing the more difficult times is by surrounding ourselves with others who give godly advice and comfort, along with using the sound mind that He has given us as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
"The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps." - Proverbs 14:15
*Stepping in. There are times we simply cannot stand back and let things happen. The time sometimes comes to be brave, ask God for wisdom, and step in to help others. Showing sacrificial love to others by leaning and working to bring reconciliation, giving extravagantly like God does, and forgetting about inconveniences to us so that we can share the good news are examples. We are rewarded more than we can imagine, too.
"God will not be behindhand in love to us. For our drop of love to Him, we shall receive an ocean of His love." - Thomas Watson
*Stepping up. Stepping up our game, living to please the LORD in our life, following Him in total abandon is the avenue to travel.
"For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps." - 1 Peter 2:21
It takes courage, but following in His steps is walking in newness of life that begins to bring glory to God, who is worthy of all honor and praise and glory. Never move on from that - His goodness and grace and mercy and majesty that know no end.
A prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, I stand amazed by You, gripped by Your greatness. As I take the steps of walking in newness of life, let me follow closer to your Son's footsteps and please give me courage and clarity in sharing the greatest news ever told. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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