Watching my 12-month-old wobble around on unsteady legs, clinging tightly to my hand as she tries to move faster than she is yet able, so clearly desiring to run, jump and go before she can even stand independently – I am reminded of our immature and feeble faith.
We are often filled with a deep longing to run and follow hard after God. We desire to be filled with the Spirit and live such lives as our heroes of the faith did, but we stumble and fall flat on our faces before we can even get started.
But don’t give up! Our heavenly Father knows what we need, and his patience for His children lasts LONG after my own. After all, we have to start somewhere. Falling down, making mistakes, habitual sins – they are not the road signs of a hopelessly lost soul, but rather a part of the path we walk as we continually strive for the Lord. God uses those times to refine us and turn our hearts fully to Him. If we truly seek to put God first, we will see His grace and mercy evident throughout the struggles and hardships we face. We have to take those first steps, fail and get back up again before we will learn to walk.
Whether you are taking your first “baby” steps as a new Christian or you are a seasoned follower finding yourself unexpectedly off the beaten path, call out to God and ask for His guidance as you continue to walk in His ways. Every step taken toward God, regardless of the ups and downs, wrong turns or u-turns, He is leading us in an ever-upward spiral to glory.
Do not lose heart! Keep your eyes fixed on God, and do not be afraid to fail as you put one foot in front of the other on the path that leads toward eternal life.