“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23
Steps
We have a competition at work wearing our “Fitbits” and setting daily goals. We even get a break on our health insurance if we reach a certain goal. Although it’s kind of fun, it can become consuming. Good health is a goal to strive for and pursing this is not only for my own benefit but also the lives around me because I feel better physically and can think clearer, allowing me to love and serve stronger. Yet setting these goals can also can become self-focused, prideful, and create envy when I forget where my true drive comes from.
More important than these steps to health are the steps I needs to walk in daily for the LORD, allowing Him to set my spiritual goals. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2). This is the primary goal of the day, setting my goals in Christ, and all else will fall into place. I’ll be more patient with my husband and family, more sensitive and considerate of my co-workers, and more giving to those the Lord puts before me in need.
My husband recently got involved with daily “step goals”; we have a lot of fun comparing our activities and competing with each other. Yet how much more special is it to set spiritual goals together, stepping out in faith as God leads our life. The second part of the above verse is, “He delights in his way.” The LORD delights in, or enjoys, our personal steps we take in Him! It is motivating to know that the LORD is our cheerleader and encourages ours steps in Him as we learn to listen to His voice in prayer and read His word; then when we are full of His life, we can joyfully step out in our day being led by the Holy Spirit, knowing the Lord is smiling as we accomplish the things that concern Him.
Yet this involves patience. Stepping with the LORD involves resting, waiting patiently for His leading, not taking off on my own. I give over my plans, dreams and goals to His will, plan and dreams. I know they are far better than my own, yet I’m impatient because my clock is ticking and I’m ready, but He says rest and wait patiently. My feet are ready to move, trying to plan and guess even for others. But I need to wait on Him and step into His goodness and glory. There’s nothing better.
So with this I start my day, resting in His righteousness, waiting for His time, and stepping in His love, because “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
“Thank You LORD, that we can trust You to order our daily and lifelong steps. You order the steps of a good man. We are only good because salvation was paid for by Jesus’ precious love-driven sacrifice on the cross. We commit our steps to You toda,y resting in Your smile. Amen.”