Step Out

Discerning the next steps of my journey has always been difficult. I plan. I listen desperately for God’s direction. I want to know that He has opened the door. I don’t want to take unnecessary risks. I don’t want to mistakenly close a door on opportunity. To step out in faith is challenging. I don’t want to fail, and I want clear direction from God.

I struggle when I don’t have that clear direction. I feel a sense of wandering aimlessly when I prefer clear purpose. I ask why. I question  the steps I have taken. I question my future and my purpose. I doubt myself and God. I hesitate to take the next steps. Fear and doubt start to creep in. I want to freeze and do nothing.

This scripture reminds me that God and I are in this together. His direction requires that I step out, put fear and doubt aside and move.

13″It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.” 14So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), (Joshua 3:13-15 NAS).

The priests had to put their feet in the water to get the ark to the other side. They had to step out in faith. They had to trust what God had instructed. Swift waters could easily bring fear and doubt. I would be easy for me to look at the water and doubt my direction and purpose.

I have to resist the temptation to sit back and do nothing while a I wait for God to move. I could sit and wait endlessly expecting God to drop the right job, perfect spouse, cure for disease in my lap. Our relationship with God is a partnership. It requires both of us to move, to step out.

I remember this story and am encouraged to set aside disappointment, fear and doubt and begin moving toward my purpose once again. How about you? How do you step out when facing doubt? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.