Taking the Next Step, Even When You’re Nervous

Stepping out in faith sounds good until you actually have to do it.

I’d love for God to give me the whole plan. What happens next? How will it work out? Am I even ready? Usually, I don’t get all those answers. I just have a sense of what the next step is, and then I have to decide whether I’m going to take it.

Sometimes that step is a big change. Other times it’s filling out an application, making a phone call, or finally starting the thing you’ve talked about for years. Small steps can still be scary when you’re the one taking them.

I used to think having faith meant I shouldn’t feel afraid. But Peter was afraid when he stepped out onto the water in Matthew 14. When he began to sink, Jesus reached out to him. I’m glad that part of the story is there, because I can relate to taking a step and then immediately wondering what I’ve done.

I’m learning that I can pray, ask for wisdom, and move forward without knowing exactly how things will turn out. The outcome might look different from what I hoped. That doesn’t mean I was wrong to try.

If there’s something you’ve been praying about, maybe you don’t need to figure out the next ten steps today. Maybe you just need to take the one in front of you.

I’m saying that to myself as much as I’m saying it to you.