Steps Made Firm
2007
I heard a story about this man.
He was told, “Go…” He was to leave the unfamiliar.
“In leaving the unfamiliar, you will be blessed beyond what you can imagine. Oh, and by the way, because of you, others will be blessed as well.”
So he dared to go. He left the comforts of his homeland. That homeland – where the deer and the antelope play. That homeland – where seldom is heard a discouraging word.
And in the process, this man trusted God…
Sometimes. A little bit.
Except when he put his wife on the block – at least twice – to protect his own interests.
Except when he tried to usurp God’s plan to fulfill the promise He made to the man to bless him.
Really, all he did was live life. Trying the best he could to provide for his family. Trying the best he could to raise his children. He had his favorites, though.
But in all his many imperfections, foibles, and missteps, God still blessed him. Even late in his life.
He demonstrated “great” faith – only once that I know of. Late in his life.
Yet, God didn’t demand perfection.
He just asked him to “Go.” And he went.
As I thought about the wonderful comments that so many of you took the time to share with me over the past few days, I sat here and thought to myself, “I really am in a good place.” I started out uncomfortable not knowing in which direction to go. But here’s what I take away from the story I heard above. I don’t really need to know in which direction to go always. The psalmist said,
“Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when He delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
(Thank you for the reminder, Blithe.)
I believe that’s what God did for the man in the story. God directed this man where to go. So clearly, God delighted in the man way some kind of way. Even when he stumbled. Even when he made mistakes. Even though he wasn’t perfect. God held him by the hand and ultimately, this man arrived at his destination.
God spoke through your comments. And he said, “It’s okay. Be in that spot. I will show you the way, through your husband, your daughter, your friends, your students, the clouds, the rainbows, the rain… It’s okay. You can just be. For I am holding you with My own hand.”
Thank you for allowing God to bless me through you (you know who you are).
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The more I read the Bible the more I realize that they were just people like us. Abraham had his imperfections and flaws, but when he turned to God, God accepted him. God sees the big picture, we only see two feet ahead …
Hi Laura,
When we read more of the Bible, we do realize that the people God worked through indeed were “regulars.” That is incredible consolation to me. Thank you so much for commenting!
It is all but a full circle. The chance meetings we have with people and the encouragements we get from one another, even without realizing, are all part of the master plan. God gives a resounding” Yes” to the age old question ” Am I my brother’s keeper?”.
It is but a full circle. The chance meetings and connections we have with people, the encouragements we get from each other, sometimes even without realizing it, are all part of the master plan. God answers a resounding “Yes” to the age old question” Am I my brother’s keeper?”.
Thank you, Blithe. I appreciate your comment. In fact, very often it’s hard to hear God’s voice, especially when one is experiencing alot of emotions that may be clouding issues we’re dealing with. It’s during those times that I believe God speaks through others to communicate with us. In that sense, we are being used by God to receive the care we need.