God’s Steppingstones: They’re Ready, Will You Walk the Path He Has Prepared

The original title of this post was, "God Lays His Steppingstones One at a Time", but that cannot be further from the truth. God has had His steppingstones laid out before the beginning of time. He already knows every step that will ever be taken. He only reveals them to us one step at a time. Let's be honest, that is not easy for humans, at least not for me anyway. I like to know my next steps before I take them. I want to know what will happen, how soon it will happen, and who will be involved, but things don't always work that way. 

God is in control and we must always remind ourselves of that. However, there are some things we can (and must) control. Has God laid a stepping stone for you that you were supposed to step on a LONG time ago? I mean, I don't need to know, that's between you and God, but I know I've been guilty! Sometimes we wait on God's answers, but sometimes God is way ahead of us. He's just waiting on us to take that next step, will you? For me, I was basically forced before I took the step.

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The Prayer/Request

My entire life I wanted to be a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom. I wanted to be the mom that was always there for her kids no matter what. I remember many mornings blinking through my tears and trying to bring the road into focus as a left my kids with my mom and headed off to work. My mom was the next best thing for them and I appreciate her so much, but it didn't make it any easier leaving my babies. God designed me to stay with them and protect them. Yet, every weekday (sometimes more), I would walk away from them. Even though I was fortunate enough to have a job for many years that gave me the flexibility to be there when necessary, I was still missing so much. I couldn't see beyond the step of going to work everyday and leaving my kids, but God knew the next step all along.

I prayed continually for a way to be more present for my children. What is your prayer today? Where are you hoping to go from here?

Steppingstone One: Jesus Causes a Disruption in Our Routine

Like most of the world, it took a global pandemic to shake up my routine. During the pandemic I got to spend a lot of time with my kids, it was a huge blessing! In fact, my kids actually went back to school before I went back to work in the office. During the time I worked at home I would flex my lunch break to pick my kids up from school. As soon as they would hop in the car they would be charged from their school day, I would hear, "Guess what happened today?", "Do you see that girl over there, that's the new girl I was telling you about!", "I've got something to tell you!", "Today in (insert class name here) we talked about..." and I could go on and on. For the first time I was consistently and immediately available to them (in person) when they needed me. Me being right there after school opened up so many conversations and allowed me to be much more connected with my kids. These are the conversations I had been missing! Before then, by the time I would get home from work and ask them about their day I would get responses like, "It was okay.", "It was kind of boring.", "Nothing happen, just a usual day at school." What a huge difference! What hurt the most was, what else have I missed over the years?! I knew that I had to go back to work soon and that I would miss these moments more than ever now, but God knew the next step all along.

Has God given your a glimpse of the life He has for you? Do you feel the pull to do something more?

Steppingstone Two: Scared to Take That Next Step

Well, the day had come. I was back to work everyday, but God was laying some strong messages on my heart. I was spending so much time in my Bible and seeking His guidance. God kept giving me the word FAITH, over and over again. I understand that faith is in the Bible a lot (336 times in KJV), but this was a specific message to me. God reminded me of Abraham and Sarah. He opened my eyes to just how strong their faith was. I soon realized that I have never had any major events that have truly tested my personal faith to trust that God will provide for me no matter the circumstances. Of course, God knew the next step all along.

Is God telling you something? Are you listening? He never said it would be easy, but if you follow Him, it will be worth it!

Steppingstone Three: Faith

Faith. Seems simple, right? Yeah, not really. I had a decision to make as to whether I was going to remain at my job or step out in faith. I felt like God was making the message pretty clear, but I still had my human reservations. Obviously it doesn't take much faith to stay at your secure place of employment. I had been there 12 1/2 years and it wouldn't take much faith to stay. However, walking away, cutting our income in half, and trusting that God will provide... that's my definition of faith. Also, my definition of crazy, but nonetheless I needed to trust God on this one. I was scared to death, but God knew the next step all along.

Okay, you listened to what God was telling you... now what?! Keep stepping! Now is not the time to stop. He's already got that next steppingstone in place, you just have to head towards it. 

Steppingstone Four: Righteousness

The other message that God kept drilling deep into my brain was righteousness. What did that have to do with anything? I didn't know at first, but then it hit me! God wants me to live more righteously. I devote too much time to work and too little time feeding my soul and the souls of others. God wanted me to find something to do that is more righteous! I had no idea what that would be, but God knew the next step all along.

Why are we here? Really think about it. We're here to live like Jesus and receive the ultimate reward in Heaven. I was so consumed by everyday life that I had blinders on. I want Jesus to be my blinders! Could you do more to live more righteously? 

Steppingstone Five: Be a Light

God started using my Bible to tell me to be a light. This is something that will always be a work in progress (like the rest of me, I suppose.) Many people know my story. Many people think I'm crazy. Many people are rooting for me. Many people are not. All I know is, whatever happens to me, I will give all glory to God and shine my light as bright as I can for Him. No one but God created this path for me. A path I never thought was possible, but God heard my prayers all those years. He knew what He was doing all along. The steppingstones had already been placed. I will use this blog and my life (with God's help) to be a light to others and thank Him daily for all He has done for me and for bringing me to where I am now. 

Are you giving God the glory for your journey? Are you shouting His praises and sharing His word with others? What can you do to be a light for Christ?

Just Keep Stepping FORWARD

I've only listed the steps forward, but let's remember that there are steps behind us and beside us, none of which are of God. If you see a shiny, new stepping stone beside of you that offers you an easy way out and quick satisfaction, BEWARE! There are false steppingstones of doubt, fear, money, drugs, lust, alcohol, any distraction you can imagine, but don't fall for it. Those shiny stones might look nice for a moment, but they lead to a path of death and destruction. 

God has called you for a higher purpose, stay on that tired-looking, well-worn path and remember what's at the end. That age-old path, paved by our Father in Heaven may not be much to look at, but it will lead you to a place more beautiful and splendid than our human minds can fathom, a place of many mansions (John 14:2). Just keep stepping forward.

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