Next Steps

Worry can’t add an hour to your life but it sure can steal one! How often have we spent precious moments of nonrefundable time worrying about the next life step?! Whatever, wherever, however we are to take it, or even IF we are to take it, and if we are, WHEN?! 

Recently my mom wisely reminded me that if I am walking in relationship with the Lord and casting all, continually at His feet, then I really don’t need to worry about any “next steps”. God will faithfully reveal it when it’s time for me to know it; I just need to be obedient to step into it, when He does. This reminded me of John 2.

In John chapter 2 Jesus and His mother were attending the same wedding celebration when no small problem arose; the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother, Mary, wisely went to Jesus with the problem. His response seems like a hard “no”, actually Mary even gets a reason!! Maybe you have prayed and received a “no” on occasion too. If so, you know that “no’s”, don’t always come with immediate explanations! Often we are to just trust His response (yes or no) to be what it always is, best. 

In John 2 Mary tells Jesus there is a problem and Jesus tells her no, it’s not His time. At this point many of us would have just gone back to our designated seat on the wedding table seating chart and told the other guests at the table we tried. How often do we use the excuse “I tried” to stop persevering in our effort to pursue God’s plan and purpose for our lives in any given moment?! Well not Mary! She didn’t sit down on an, “I tried”. Mary heard a “no” but discerned (with wisdom that comes by way of walking in relationship with Jesus) a call to faith that is always preparing for the miraculous!! 

When you have been in relationship with someone for long enough you can discern when they say one thing but maybe mean something else. Mary heard Jesus say it was not yet His time and she decided He just needed more ready and willing servants! John 2:5 finds Mary instructing the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. This act on Mary’s part reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38 when He states the harvest is great but the workers are few so we are to ask God for more workers!! Mary didn’t sit down that day on an, “I tried”, but rather counted herself among one of those willing and ready workers! Not only that but she knew where to gather up more like minded servants for Jesus, so she did! Which brings me to Matthew 13:58 in Jesus’ hometown where many miracles were left undone! Why?! Because of their lack of faith!! 

Dear one, faith is always preparing for the miraculous. Mary didn’t know what the next step would be. However she did know the need and she knew Who to bring the need to; she knew Him well enough to not give up faith that He would move in one way or another in her situation. Mary held a holy and reverent fear of God so she wisely didn’t lay out her plan and solution for the perceived wine problem. She left it at His feet and stays willing to be available for wherever, whatever, whenever, however He would choose to stand by her in this, for she knew He wouldn’t leave her alone. That was enough for her to remain faithFULL in all the “next steps” that seemed so uncertain. “Next steps” don’t have to seem daunting when you know Who steps next to you, always. 

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)