Daily Steps

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”

Psalm 37:23

People have repeatedly asked me how did I write the Jesus Lives Bible study while working full time, raising three kids, and serving in women’s ministry at my church and in the marketplace?  I tell them that it is the power of God coupled with my daily investment. 

First of all, I can do nothing on my own power.  Secondly, it takes a godly passion that drives me to glorify God and fulfill my calling.  In terms of “how-to”, it really was about little steps at a time.  Every day I seek God and desire to hear from Him in every circumstance.  Every day, I bite off what I can do for the kingdom that day.  I listen to God and see what He is revealing to me, and I capture it.  Not every day’s lesson is meant to be shared with you.  Some days, God’s message is just for me alone.  By making small daily investments, I reach my end goal. 

Jesus Lives was written because I woke up early almost every morning for three years.  Before the sun came up, my alarm clock would sound.  I would ask God for the willpower to get out of bed.  I prayed Psalm 63:1 that says, “Oh, God, You are my God.  Earnestly I seek You.  My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  I know the Hebrew word for “earnestly” almost means early.  So I would say, “Oh, God, You are my God.  I seek You early today.  Even though I would love to stay in bed much longer, give me the strength to get out of bed.  I choose You because I know that Your love is better than life (Psalm 63:3).”  I would slip out of bed while my husband was sleeping and go to my bathroom floor.  Some days, there was a bath mat.  Some days, I just sat on the vinyl floor.  I didn’t dare make a sound for any noise might wake up my young children and quiet would flee from my home.

Yes, there were a handful of days that I took vacation days from work to finish a day of homework.  But very few full days were spent writing.  It was my small investment in the morning, meditating on the Scripture for that part of the homework as I went throughout my day, and returning the next morning to the same part of the homework.  A good day was when I wrote a whole paragraph.  Gradually, not suddenly, I reached my goal.  God could have spoken it into being, but He chose instead to empower me and speak to me daily.  It was hard work.  There were many days I wasn’t sure when I would ever finish.  Through persistence and commitment, the power of my small daily investment partnered with the almighty power of God.

A small daily investment has helped many people reach their goals.  It is how people lose that unwanted weight.  It is how a runner builds up their distance running.  Daily learning to tell yourself “no” is how people break bad habits and addictions.  Small daily investments over many days will help you to reach your goals, too.

So what part of your life would benefit from a daily consistent investment?  What long reaching dream do you hope to achieve and how will daily bite-sized chunks help you?  What relationship would benefit from you making a commitment to take it one day at a time to behave and treat them as God has called you to do?  Let me know how you decide to use the power of the daily investment.

Pray with me:  Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, You are majestic!  You are worthy of all praise.  We know, Lord, that we can do nothing of eternal value on our own power.  It is only when we plug into You and use Your power that kingdom things are accomplished.  Lord, teach us to be intentional though.  We delight in You so please make our steps firm.  Teach us the power of daily steps and consistently moving towards the goals and plans that You have for our lives.  Teach us the power of daily investments partnered with Your power.  In the mighty Name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

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