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Two Steps, Then Four

 Lauren who is eleven months old took her first two steps at Grandma’s house. It was with great anticipation that this milestone was achieved.  For weeks we had watched her toddle around the furniture, let go at unsuspecting moments and crash to the floor.  We had cheered every minute progress and had reached out encouraging hands eager for her to take that first step, alone.  On her solo journey she made it to two steps before crashing and we had a victory celebration!  We were so proud of her two steps!!  It wasn’t long before the two steps became four and now we take for granted as she toddles around the room.

 As I watched her learning to walk I noticed the obstacle course she had to maneuver. There were square blocks, slippery books, a sprawling doll, scrunched-up blanket, cars, round crayons, plastic animals and various other shapes and objects that Lauren stepped on, fell over and maneuvered around.  Occasionally she fell hard enough to cry but usually after a hard sit on her bum she was up and going again.

 Isn’t that just like our Christian walk? As new Christians begin their walk we have to be there with extended hands, encouraging and cheering as they take their first steps.  Sometimes the obstacle course may seem to be too great but in order to develop a strong, sustaining faith they have to learn to step over and maneuver around and sometimes fall down over Satan’s hurtles. 

 Ephesians 4: 14-15 “That we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men…but, speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ.”

 I Peter 2: 1-2 “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow…”

 Colossians 1:10 “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”

 In II Peter 3:14-18, Peter admonishes us to look forward to the coming of the Lord and to be diligent so we can be found spotless and blameless before Him who is our peace.  He challenges us to consider that the Lord is our salvation, warns us to beware lest we fall from our own unsteadiness and encourages us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then comes the victory celebration.  “To Him be the glory both now and forever.  Amen”

 Pat Hertzler