What Is Your Next Step?

Well, my Chicago Cubs have done it again – they have officially been eliminated from any form of post season major league baseball activity. As I learned from my early childhood; “Maybe next year.” Although the Cubs have had some good seasons during my lifetime, they just don’t seem to get over the hump and produce a winning season. What is it going to take to win? What changes need to be made?

Well in the big scope of things, baseball really doesn’t matter much to me. But, I find the same struggle taking place in my life and the lives of so many other followers of Christ that are in need of change, not just external change, but genuine life-transforming change, that begins at the heart and moves outward – the kind of change that an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ produces and the life that Jesus promised.

But that means change! Like the story told of a man from the mountains of Tennessee that one day while in a large city, found himself, for the first time, standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, "Billy, go get mother."

Sometimes we misunderstand the process of change that God takes us through to make us more like Him. Some things happen immediately – Christ saves us – deposits His Spirit in us – gives us new life and hope. But some things take time, patience, obedience and yes, even struggle, crisis, hurt and perseverance. Some things are a journey, a “next step” of faith as we grow in our walk with Christ.

What is your “Next Step” as you grow in a personal walk and relationship with a loving and merciful God that is absolutely crazy about you? Join us on the journey this week.