A baby learning to walk doesn’t think, “Well, I tried that and it wasn’t for me.” Instead, they get back up when they fall and, with those chubby, wobbly legs, they try again.
There’s no shame or hurt pride or fear of failure. They see Mommy and Daddy walking and they are determined to do it too. And, boy, once they start walking, all parents can testify that there’s absolutely no stopping them!
These first steps are only the beginning of adversity we encounter throughout our lives. There’s always going to be something in our path that we must overcome. If not, we’re not moving or maturing.
There are times when things get really hard. It’s not a hill in our path, it’s a mountain and we can’t see on the other side to determine whether its worth the climb. So we plop ourselves down and set up camp at the foot of our mountain.
Have you ever experienced this? Are you on a campout right now?
You know, these campouts are relaxing at first. It’s comfortable and easy. We know exactly what to expect day in and day out. But do you ever dream about what’s on the other side of that mountain? Do you wish you had the courage and strength leave your campsite and climb that mountain?
Sure it’s scary. But you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength! Here’s five steps to inspire you to do that thing you are called and chosen to do:
STEP 1: DARE TO DREAM
Everything starts with a dream. Consider Abraham, a rich man with no heir. The word of the Lord came to Abraham and He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5).
Holy moly! Not only does God encourage us to dream, He inspires the dream! Not only does God show us the impossible, He equips us to do the impossible!
God has so much planned for your life. You have such purpose and destiny! Before He formed you in your mother’s womb, He knew you. Before you were born, He set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5).
A BIG God created an INCREDIBLE you for ASTOUNDING things!
So, what’s your dream? Are you wanting to start your own business, write a book, get out of debt, have a better marriage, go back to school, start an orphanage? Dare to dream!
STEP 2: TRUST GOD
When your dream is bigger than you, that’s when you know it’s from God. Trust and know that when God declares a thing, it will come to pass. Remember, if it were easy, everybody would do it, but take courage in knowing God has appointed YOU to do it. And whom God calls, He equips!
Man says, “Show me and I’ll trust you.”
God says, “Trust me and I’ll show you.”
Hallelujah! We serve a God who can move mountains!
“I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” –Philippians 1:6
STEP 3: GET MOVING
You’ve written the vision and made it plain, now run with it! But don’t expect to get there tomorrow. Even an experienced marathon runner endures much planning and training before race day. Schedule things out and set small milestones along the way. Then relish in that sense of accomplishment you feel when you reach those milestones.
“There are dreamers who don’t work and workers who don’t dream. There’s no hope for either.” –Joyce Meyer
“I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the size of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:12-14
STEP 4: SEEK GODLY COUNSEL
Talk to somebody who’s already been there and done that. What did they do to get there? Learn from their mistakes as well as from their successes.
Ask God for divine connections and divine appointments. Where would Elisha be without Elijah? Or Timothy without Paul? Find a godly mentor that will speak truth into you even when it’s not what you want to hear; someone who will keep you accountable, pick you up when you fall, and be your biggest cheerleader.
Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” –Proverbs 19:20:21
STEP 5: BE THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS
I am certain that the key to success is a grateful and thankful heart. No matter where you are on your journey there’s always something to be thankful for.
Thankfulness causes reflection upon things God has helped you overcome in the past. When you praise Him for these things, it builds your faith that He’ll do it again. Your thankfulness is a gift to Him. It turns His hand of favor toward you. It opens closed doors and breaks the power of the enemy.
“Thanksgiving brings us into the manifest presence of God and connects us with what He is doing and saying in the midst of our circumstances.” –Bill Johnson
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” –Psalm 106:1
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These five steps aren’t the ‘be all, end all.’ But they will certainly nudge you in the right direction. And believe me, the mountain is always worth the climb!
I pray God will reveal His plans to you, bring your dreams into alignment with His, and pull your mountains down low. I pray your heart of thanksgiving will build your faith in Him and make you unstoppable! And I pray for courage to take that first step. He’s got you, dear one! God Bless!
Michelle Halloran 