Steps, Stops, Stumbles

Walk as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8

The Christian walk is a series of steps, stops, and stumbles. Many times we step out in faith and trust God for the impossible. Other times we have to stop and be still, listening for the gentle and quiet voice of the Spirit. And sometimes we stumble through the temptations of our flesh, the world, and Satan.

This journey isn’t a quiet and peaceful walk through the park—not for the believer who really wants to live their life to the fullest in Christ Jesus. No…this believer will be stretched in their faith and oftentimes wondering if they are really making a difference. It’s a journey of second guessing and pushing forward in spite of their weaknesses.

As we work through the steps, stops, and stumbles of our Christian faith, we are being matured, molded, and pruned to be more like Jesus. Only Jesus could walk the earth in perfection. The rest of us must walk in being perfected by the loving hands of God. He can’t allow us to only experience good all the time. If so, we would lose that dependency and connection we have with Him as our Father in heaven. We would easily take Him for granted and use His blessings to fill our desires instead of His desires.

At times, we face discouragement and disappointment in ourselves and in others. Yet if we don’t lose heart, we can look back and see spiritual growth. There is an incredible beauty and glory from God that shines in those Christians who didn’t give up when their journey hit the hard times. It’s in this journey we begin to see God as He is and not as we once did when we were young in the faith.