Just take another step and then another step

The other day I was remembering the mini-trips we took with the “50-Plus” group at our Charlotte, North Carolina church. My late husband and I enjoyed both the fellowship and the opportunity to visit new places.

            The only problem came up when it was time to disembark the bus to see the natural wonder or museum (or whatever happened to be on our itinerary). We always seemed to be seated in the middle or toward the back of the bus. So getting off the bus before us were many dear people who – well, who were slow. Very slow.

            Since the group was promoted for “50 and over,” and our jobs allowed some flexibility, we started participating when we were only 52. We were always chomping on the bit to spend every possible minute seeing the attraction. We became impatient waiting for all those folks. We wanted to “get going.”

            I remember feeling a certain pride in how fast we could walk compared to everyone else. Looking back, of course we could walk faster than the others: we were only 52. Most of them were closer to 62, 72, 82 or even 92!

I should not have felt pride, but rather gratitude to God for keeping us healthy and fit. And I should have felt more sensitivity for those who, through no fault of their own, had been forced into a slow pace.

            Now that I am – well, let’s just say “over 72” – I have joined the ranks of those who walk more like the tortoise than the hare. In my case, it’s neuropathy in my feet combined with an ankle that is damaged. I hate it, but it’s reality.

            Regardless of whether we walk slow or fast, however, what any older person will tell you is that what’s most important is that we can still walk at all! That we can “get around,” as they say. 

            In addition to our physical walking we all have another walk, one I’ll call our “spiritual walk.” For this column, by spiritual walk I mean the state of one’s spirit, mind and heart. Just like with our physical self, what’s important is not our speed but that we “keep on keeping on.” 

            With my spiritual walk, my preference would be that I make great forward strides with no pain. I don’t want it to feel like reluctant plodding. I’d rather it felt like quick, eager, confident steps. But that’s not always my choice. Sometimes adversity makes taking that next step challenging.

            Going through tough times, I have found that God’s Word is filled with promises about our spiritual walk. For example, “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.” Ps. 37:23-24. Firm steps. I like that.

            And what a great promise in Habakkuk 3:19: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.” 

            To me, “the heights” may mean that I’m able to keep climbing through life’s hardest challenges – but it could also mean wonderful, even majestic mountain-top experiences during which I feel courageous, strong and victorious. 

            Either way, life is lived one step at a time, and we do well not to worry about tomorrow. I’ve heard it said “Just do the next right thing.” I sometimes have to make a determination of the will to do so. But I have found that many times joy awaits me when I follow that advice.

            God honors our trusting obedience as we take just one more step. And then another. And then another. As a widow who has still not adjusted to being one (any “amens” out there?) I also battle a couple physical symptoms. So there are days I don’t have much gumption to carry on. My feelings tell me I am weak, depressed and anxious. 

But then I take the next step, doing the next right thing. That may simply mean taking care of a household or financial matter. Or it may mean doing something to help someone else.

Regardless, I am moving forward not in my own strength, but in His. And in His great love, He never fails to pour that strength into me.

            “When I said, ‘my foot is slipping,’ Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” Ps. 94:18.

            So, according to Scripture, He upholds, enables and supports us. I know it may be hard sometimes, but you too can take just one more step if you’ll lean on Him as you do so. And then another step. And then another step.

            (All Scripture references are from the NIV).