“We went to the Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant again last night. Had some of my favorite honey-dipped shrimp.”
“Those are always good,” I replied. “How was the fortune in the cookie?”
“It was one we’ve all heard many times, but it brought to mind a lot of thoughts about my faith walk, both how it began and how it continues.”
“What did the fortune say?”
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
“That is a good one,” I commented.
“While it’s a true statement about the beginning of a journey, whether the results of that first step are good or bad depend on the direction of that first step, and then the direction of all of the steps that follow.”
“Way too often,” he continued, “I have taken a single step in the wrong direction, down a path I should never have started. And then the next step was further in the wrong direction. I kept walking on that path until one day I looked around and said to myself, “How did I get here?”
Then what?” I asked.
“After seeing where I was and deciding I didn’t want to be there,” Stan replied, “there were the vital steps of confession and repentance.”
“Turning around and going a different direction? Is that what you mean by repentance?”
“Exactly,” Stan replied. “That’s how people get off a path on a journey they don’t like. Otherwise, they will just keep going the way they started with that first step.”
“So,” I said, “I guess it’s real important for people to see where they are headed when they take that first step in a journey, whatever that journey might be.”
“More than a guess, my friend!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1.
Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12.
The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of the journey into your eternal presence that awaits me when my time here is done. Thank you, too, for the journey of knowing you and your Son Jesus more deeply on this side of eternity while I wait for the train. You know how easily I am tempted to take steps in the wrong direction, the direction away from you and what you have for me. Please help me in not taking any step that will lead me away from who and what you intend for me to be in manifesting your presence in my life. Help me in taking steps that lead only to following you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Where are you in your journey with God? Do you have the assurance of salvation for when your time here is completed? If no, why? If you have that assurance, how are you doing with the steps you are taking to draw ever closer to God on this side of eternity? If not as well as you would like, do you know what to do about that?
Waiting for the Train 