When was the last time you stepped out to obey God in faith?
My first time to step out was going to college 600 miles from home.
Then, it was proposing and getting married!
Becoming a missionary….a pastor back in America….and then a host of “step-outs” until today.
God has a lifetime of step-outs for you when only faith is under your steps of obedience.
These are moments where you could epically fail.
You may be there today.
Here are seven things about “stepping out”:
1. People (even family) may not understand.
People don’t want to turn you loose. The family likes everyone to stay together.
Don’t fear leaving the nest. Some who stay in the nest end their life with minimal accomplishment.
It’s your life. It’s your journey. It’s God’s will for you.
Step out if He is calling you somewhere else.
2. You may experience some self-doubt.
Your mind will fight you. It envisions failure, fear, and financial disaster.
Follow your spirit. Trust your heart. Trust your motives.
David stepped out to fight Goliath even when his brothers and Saul told him he was disqualified.
Nothing disqualifies you when God has called you.
3. The way is narrow. The crowds may go another way.
I saw a video of a medical waiting room once. One person (planted by the video crew) stood up by his chair. Every person who came in stood up by their chair! No one sat down.
The power of following the crowd is more than most people can take.
Take the narrow trail. Climb the mountain. They will understand when they see you up at the summit.
4. God gives you a vision in your spirit.
Noah inwardly envisioned a 450-foot-long boat.
Joshua inwardly envisioned massive walls falling flat.
Moses inwardly envisioned returning to Egypt and challenging Pharoah to “let my people go.”
What is the picture you’ve seen in your spirit? Keep looking at it every day.
5. You must commit to a no-turning-back moment.
There was a moment when Peter had to step out of the boat to walk on water.
There was a moment when the three Hebrew men had to keep standing when an entire nation was bowing before an idol.
Step out when the moment is right.
6. Where you end up may be different from where you thought.
God may get you moving in a direction, but it is not your destination.
You may be surprised how things “pivot” once you get moving. God has to get you moving.
7. Be sure you seek the Lord every day in the journey.
As Abram migrated the 500 miles to Canaan, he built altars at every major stop.
You will have to consistently, daily, worship God for His guidance until you reach your destination.
Your promised land is full of giants and dangers.
Seek the Lord. Talk to Him about your journey every day. Thank Him for His guidance and provision.
You are not alone, He is with you in this journey.
You will arrive where you “stepped out” for.
It will be worth it.