The First Step

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

The first step is always a big deal in our lives. Think of a child who has been crawling but then stands up and takes their first step. Woohoo! It would not be good for this child to never risk it and take that step. It’s the beginning of something. Let’s look a few “first steps” in the Bible.

The Children of Israel had made it through the Red Sea with God’s help but now faced the Jordan River before they could enter the Promised Land. But, “And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” (Joshua 3:13). The “first step”.

Then there was Joshua and the City of Jericho. God told him, “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times,” (Joshua 6:3-4). Sounded like a crazy command but they did what God said. On the first day, the priests went first and took that “first step”.

And, how about Peter? “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29). He had to trust Jesus who said, “Come on!” (V. 29). Peter had to take the “first step”.

Being a former athlete and coach, I know how important, in athletics, the first step is. You take the “first step” by singing up for the team. Then comes the first day of practice then, hopefully, you get to take the “first step” into the game. Nothing happens until you choose to take that “first step”.

As God’s creation, we are required to take the “first step” toward Jesus in order to receive the wonderful things He has for us. But it’s our choice. What if the priests didn’t step into the water, or not began their trek around Jericho, or Peter didn’t step out of the boat? We have a choice too. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). So today, are you going to take the first step?