Stepping Stones
Janna Wilson
When you consider your daily walk here on earth,
what does your mind see? Is it a wide and seemingly endless sidewalk or broad highway with a layer of thick fog looming just ahead? Are you able to take sure steps on a smooth, flat surface but you can’t see where you’re going or where the next fork in the road may be? Does it feel like anyone is with you? God? Is it bright daylight, or is it gloomy and drear, hard to see? Or perhaps you just feel totally lost?
I had envisioned a similar “highway” scene for a time in my life where I struggled to stay in the middle of the road but now I rather picture it like this: something like an organic, rocky path that is under continuous construction. Because I’m fully seeking Jesus now, it feels as though I am walking in the light of day, as if God’s presence is illuminating the way. If I veer from Him, my vision seems to dim. I imagine this walk is in a forest and the path of stones lie near a small river or creek bed. I encounter the innumerable details of creation all along the way: flowers swaying in the wind, animals peeking about, the warmth of the sun on my face, a cool breeze off the water and the babble of the creek rolling along. I am barefoot, fully feeling the grit and moisture and earth as I tread along. The path isn’t complete as I look ahead, I still can’t see much more than what’s around me fully as my way is revealed in His perfect timing. The stones are being laid for me as I draw near to God, give thanksgiving for His handiwork and trust fully in Him to lay the next steady step of my journey. He removes the branches that may hinder my passing and supports me with His great hand as He invites me forward into His light.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9
Even though I look back with my share of regrets over the years, I know that God had a good purpose for each and every one of these stepping stones my feet have trod. After all, don’t I trust that He made this way for me? I can hardly question His path for my life as I’m 45 years in and can now enjoy some heavenly-minded hindsight that gleams with a few nuggets of wisdom he’s imparted to me along the way. I know that most of that precious wisdom isn’t as much for me to hold on to as it is a gift to pass along to disciple my kids, friends, and for those that I cross paths with on this Earth-side journey. Like all of God’s gifts, these bits of wisdom are to be cherished for certain, but more importantly, to be paid forward, multiplied and shared to glorify Him. As they say, you can’t out give God.
I have just recently seen all of this with clarity as God continues to transform me and renew my mind. Here’s how it’s gone for me, maybe you can relate? I spent a lot of time as an immature believer searching for my “purpose.” For years, I searched and struggled and pondered. I’ve imagined I’ve got these “baskets” that I carry through life. At times, oh how they’ve felt like immense burdens. Like I’ve done all of these things and I’ve been collecting all of this experience and head knowledge and it’s really just weighing me down. I recall a very pivotal point about 5 years ago when I shared this feeling with a group of women at a retreat. I felt lost, uncertain and a little hopeless even though I had just gotten a new job and was starting down a pretty exciting new journey. Though the women were supportive and encouraging, they really had no answers for me either. Looking back, I now know that God has paved this path as I continue to look to Him for guidance.
Knowledge is like those stepping stones. It’s all the moments of learning and experience where my feet have trod that I want to pick up and carry and use in the future. I just didn’t really know what to do with all of those stones so I just kept piling them on and dragging those baskets. In some ways, this collection of stones was really just self-serving for the most part and the more I learn, know, or discover for my own sake, the heavier those baskets become. How could I lighten this load, who could help carry it and where will these stepping stones lead me? When should “I” start laying them down and how would I know where to put them? All questions that I just didn’t have an answer for.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ” — James 4:8
James stated (in the verses previous to ch 4:8) that the reason that the people he was writing to did not have what they wanted because they either did not ask for it or they asked for the wrong thing to simply satisfy their own lusts and desires. This was my very problem.
As I have matured as a Christian and truly drawn closer to God these last several years, I’ve felt the burden of my cumbersome “baskets” start to diminish. I think for one— I can now discern whether a stone is worth it’s weight, if it’s worth adding to my basket. And two— He has exchanged my burden for His, lightened my load, taken those bulky stones and placed them on that narrow path for me according to his will. Through my relationship with Christ, and by my choosing to glorify Him and obediently surrendering to His plan and will, He’s making the way for me.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:29-30
Not only have I experienced abundance and growth as a Christian, I see how He’s helped me create a path that other people can follow along on too. We often call this “hindsighted,” being able to look back with increased understanding, but I like to think of it as “Christ-sighted.” This wisdom we develop from a longer and deeper relationship with our Lord is the fulness and fruit of our obedience and abiding in Him. Oh how I long to continue on his path!
Practically speaking, my daily path might look a lot like yours. I’m a working mom, wife and I’m involved with my church and have numerous tasks in keeping my home running. I need help. So my best days are when I start my day reading the Word and praying that God flow through my hands and mind to apply my knowledge to my daily tasks to glorify Him. That he gives me words to speak when I’m unsure. That He strengthens me when my flesh fails me with exhaustion, fear, anxiety or anger. I actually don’t know how I accomplish some of the things that I do and can only point back to God for gifting me with the tools I need to bring my days to fruition and create good things for Him. And I now just expect in full faith that He will lay the next stone! I hope to see you along the way as you allow God to bear your burdens and direct your path. Maybe ours will cross?
Read more about knowledge and wisdom in the remaining verses of Proverbs chapter 3.
“ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6