TODAY IS…

a fine day to take that first step.

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.”  Acts 13:4 NASB

From the time Paul first left the Port of Seleucia, his three missionary journeys and his final trip to Rome covered a span of over 13 years. The journeys traveled thousands of miles and Paul passed through some of the most rugged country on earth. He encountered numerous setbacks, harsh weather, resistance – including violence – to his message, and generally unfavorable traveling conditions.

After returning to the safety of home the first time, one would think he might have decided to stay there. But he left again, two more times on even longer trips – and then again for a final time to travel to Rome. Paul was a well-traveled individual at a time when travel was slow, unpleasant, and dangerous.

But Paul’s focus was on the task before him, and no matter how long and difficult the journeys proved to be, each one began by taking that first step.

Each one of us has journeys that lay before us.

In all likelihood, none of our journeys will come close to the reality of even the shortest of Paul’s. But that doesn’t give us comfort when we look at the long road that stretches before us. We may be facing divorce; the death of a loved one; financial difficulties; legal problems – the list of possibilities is endless and each one takes on the enormity of a thousand mile walk over mountains and through the blazing desert. Sometimes we are terrified of what lays before us and we may have a tendency to become immobilized with fear.

Whenever we find ourselves afraid of the journey before us, we must listen to God.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).

There is no greater assurance available to us than that promise.

“I will strengthen you and help you.”

With these words, God has promised to be with us every step of the way.

Now it is up to us to take the first step.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson