The Way DAY 43 - Your Next Step
DAY 43 - Your Next Step
Luke 9:20
This week’s reflections began with Jesus asking the Twelve Apostles, “Who the crowds say that I am?” Then he turned the question to them, “Who do you say that I am?” That question is aimed at us, too. We can’t just analyze Jesus like an interesting historical figure. We have to wrestle with the question for ourselves and give an answer. We have to make a decision.
Yesterday we said that depth of insight follows decision. That is, our understanding only grows after we’ve committed to someone or to a course of action.
We see this principle at work everywhere. Married people experience this. Some people want to keep their options open, never settle down with one person. Others take the “try it before you buy it” approach: “How can I commit to this person for the long term if we don’t live together first?” One of the many problems with that is that there are things about your partner, and yourself, that you just can’t learn until you commit. Depth of insight follows decision.
Pick any area of interest and you’ll see it’s the same. You can study the ocean, look at pictures, watch videos on YouTube, but you know it in a whole new way once you swim in it. Or baking. You can watch “The Great British Baking Show” or “Cupcake Wars,” and read recipes until you know them by heart, but it’s not the same as deciding to get in the kitchen, get your hands dirty, and bake. Depth of insight follows decision.
What decision is God calling you to right now? What is your next step of faith?
REFLECT
What “next step” or decision is God calling you to make right now?
PRAY
I’m listening, Lord. Speak to me. Show me my next step of faith. Amen.
Luke 9:20
This week’s reflections began with Jesus asking the Twelve Apostles, “Who the crowds say that I am?” Then he turned the question to them, “Who do you say that I am?” That question is aimed at us, too. We can’t just analyze Jesus like an interesting historical figure. We have to wrestle with the question for ourselves and give an answer. We have to make a decision.
Yesterday we said that depth of insight follows decision. That is, our understanding only grows after we’ve committed to someone or to a course of action.
We see this principle at work everywhere. Married people experience this. Some people want to keep their options open, never settle down with one person. Others take the “try it before you buy it” approach: “How can I commit to this person for the long term if we don’t live together first?” One of the many problems with that is that there are things about your partner, and yourself, that you just can’t learn until you commit. Depth of insight follows decision.
Pick any area of interest and you’ll see it’s the same. You can study the ocean, look at pictures, watch videos on YouTube, but you know it in a whole new way once you swim in it. Or baking. You can watch “The Great British Baking Show” or “Cupcake Wars,” and read recipes until you know them by heart, but it’s not the same as deciding to get in the kitchen, get your hands dirty, and bake. Depth of insight follows decision.
What decision is God calling you to right now? What is your next step of faith?
REFLECT
What “next step” or decision is God calling you to make right now?
PRAY
I’m listening, Lord. Speak to me. Show me my next step of faith. Amen.
Posted in spring 2024
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February
The Way DAY 9 - Full of the Holy SpiritThe Way DAY 10 - Defeating Your DefeatersThe Way DAY 11 - The Year of JubileeThe Way DAY 12 - FreedomThe Way DAY 13 - Freedom to LoveThe Way DAY 14 - Ditch "What About Me"The Way DAY 15 - The Way of LoveThe Way DAY 16 - The TeacherThe Way DAY 17 - What is the Kingdom of God?The Way DAY 18 - Trust and ObeyThe Way DAY 19 - Follow MeThe Way DAY 20 - Differences and DisagreementsThe Way DAY 21 - Jesus and Mr. RogersThe Way DAY 22 - Respond Like JesusThe Way DAY 23 - Bend Toward MercyThe Way DAY 24 - Burden or Bless?The Way DAY 25 - BONUS: The TwelveThe Way DAY 26 - Happy?The Way DAY 27 - Excessive GenerosityThe Way DAY 28 - What is Love?The Way DAY 29 - Give What God Gives
March
The Way DAY 30 - Follow the LeaderThe Way DAY 31 - Dinner with a PhariseeThe Way DAY 32 - Don't Be the HeroThe Way DAY 33 - God's GraceThe Way DAY 34 - The Grace You ShowThe Way DAY 35 - Our Sin and Our SaviorThe Way DAY 36 - Jesus and ParablesThe Way DAY 37 - The Farmer and the SeedsThe Way DAY 38 - The Seed and The SoilThe Way DAY 39 - The Good HeartThe Way DAY 40 - Who is Jesus, Pt 1The Way DAY 41 - Who is Jesus, Pt 2The Way DAY 42 - They Saw His GloryThe Way DAY 43 - Your Next StepThe Way DAY 44 - His DevotionThe Way DAY 45 - The Leadership of JesusThe Way DAY 46 - Pick Up Your CrossThe Way DAY 47 - Daily DenialThe Way DAY 48 - Forgive Like JesusThe Way DAY 49 - Trusting God
April
Because of Easter DAY 1Because of Easter DAY 2Because of Easter DAY 3Because of Easter DAY 4Because of Easter DAY 5Because of Easter DAY 6Because of Easter DAY 7Because of Easter DAY 8Because of Easter DAY 9New Devo Starts SoonPsalms DAY 1Psalms DAY 2Psalms DAY 3Psalms DAY 4Psalms DAY 5Psalms DAY 6Psalms DAY 7Psalms DAY 8Psalms DAY 9Psalms DAY 10
2023
June
COMING SOON! RevelationRevelation Day 1 - TAKE IT TO HEARTRevelation Day 2 - IN THE SPIRITRevelation Day 3 - Learning to SeeRevelation Day 4 - The VoiceRevelation Day 5 - A Faithful WitnessRevelation DAY 6 - Past, Present, or Future?Revelation Day 7 - PRESS ONRevelation 8 - Comfort and ChallengeRevelation Day 9 - Compromised CommitmentRevelation Day 10 - I'm Fine, ThanksRevelation Day 11 - Holy, Holy, HolyRevelation Day 12 - Who is Worthy?Revelation Day 13 - Don't Give Up!Revelation Day 14 - No ContestRevelation Day 15 - Worship WellRevelation Day 16 - The Problem of EvilRevelation Day 17 - When You Don't Know WhyRevelation Day 18 - The Limits of SufferingRevelation Day 19 - Is God Angry?Revelation Day 20 - Saved Through Suffering
July
Revelation Day 21 - The Cry for JusticeRevelation Day 22 - The Judgments of GodRevelation 23 - They Still Did Not RepentRevelation Day 24 - Don't Curse CorrectionRevelation Day 25 - Search Me, O GodRevelation Day 26 - You Shall ProphesyRevelation Day 27 - Eat This BookRevelation Day 28 - Fight!Revelation 29 - Let the Truth TalkRevelation Day 30 - Worship and Witness