By Pastor Andrew Farland
Back in 2001, I was sitting by a pond.
While I was sitting there, I noticed part of it was frozen over. Then I saw a bunch of ducks playing in this little part of the ice that was broken up. It was freezing, but the ducks were playing in the water like kids in a pool – flapping, splashing, and playing. To the side was a bunch of ducks lined up waiting for their turn to get in the water, even though there was plenty of room for all of the ducks to join the fun.
That’s when I felt God speak to me.
He said, “Andrew, I’m giving you permission to step out, to always give permission to my people to step out.”
I thought back to the pond and the ducks. It was such an interesting metaphor. The water was there, and all the ducks could have played at once. There was plenty of room for everyone, but they were sidelined. They waited for the others to jump in.
That’s when I remembered this verse from Genesis 24:27:
“Being on the way, the Lord led me.”
So often we never get on our way. We wait for a sign. We hope the clouds will part. It’s like waiting with our phone for a text message from God. DING! Move your right foot, says the text. Fifteen minutes later, there’s another DING! Now move your left foot.
Sometimes we think God has to show us every single step of the way. That He has to direct every footstep. There’s no relationship, no growth, no character development in that.
God didn’t create robots. Instead, He gave us free will.
He allows us – and even encourages us — to step out. Jump in. Make the first move.
You may remember when Abraham’s servant was looking for a wife for Isaac. His many requirements for a life partner held him back from getting what he was seeking. They obstructed him from achieving his goals.
In our own journeys, we too become spiritually constipated by sitting there, not practicing our faith and not moving forward. We are like a parked car, and it’s hard to steer a parked car in any direction.
Take your first steps today. Start moving toward something.
Don’t worry about the direction.
Let God course-correct you. Just as a GPS reroutes you if you take a wrong turn, so will God. Let God reroute you. A GPS isn’t much good if your car is permanently in park, and God won’t guide your path if you refuse to step forward. You have to take that first step.
Today, take that action step. Step out. Do something different, something unfamiliar, something a bit scary.
The important thing is that you get going.
Remember that being on the way, the Lord led me.
Get your feet moving and then expect God to show you the direction He wants you to go. Once you start, He’ll lead your way.
Proverbs 16: 9
32 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Be encouraged today because God is with you.
