So last time I talked about not using ‘baby steps’ as an excuse to delay a change. It seems that God wasn’t done talking to me about ‘baby steps’ and the other morning I found myself waking with further thoughts on this phrase.
When babies learn to walk they are determined. They overcome many obstacles… The biggest being falling down. Walking involves learning to balance, overcoming fear, it engages the whole body, the mind, muscles, eyes, bottom, feet, even mouth (they laugh and squeal with delight at their sense of accomplishment). They discover. Often the desire to discover drives them on, the plate left on the table, the toy just out of reach. Even the severely disabled will keep on trying to move.
We can think of taking baby steps as being simple, relaxed, slow going and using little energy. An easier way. In fact they are so much more.
Real baby steps take us on a journey of change. They are decisive. They set out to achieve. They are an adventure that uses the whole of our being.
I believe that God is asking us to look again at our lives and where we are with Him. He wants us to take real baby steps of determination and faith that involve the whole of our being. He wants us to discover all that He has for us. To stand up and learn to balance and walk with him. To overcome the fear of falling down. To stop thinking of ourselves as helpless children, or babies. For those that have learnt to toddle he says you are not confined to the playpen. The door is open, get out and discover the world He has for you. Learn to walk and run, skip and play.
It is time we ate more solids and stopped regressing or running back to the safe space (with our blanky and bottle) . He will catch us when we fall down. He will light our path. He has good things for us. He gives us purpose. ‘In him I live and move and have my being.’ He bids us go.
Written by Jane Reynolds
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