I recently read an anecdote about a teacher who took her primary school students to the assembly hall to attend a presentation. As they waited at the foot of the steps leading up to the stage, she asked, “Is anybody good at jumping?”
Quite a few young hands shot up.
“Could any of you jump from the floor here up onto the stage?”
No hands went up this time.
“I can,” said the teacher, “and I’ll show you how.” Beginning at the foot of the steps leading up to the stage, she hopped onto the first step. From there she hopped onto the second, and so on until she reached the top.
As this story demonstrates, there are many things that can only be accomplished little by little, step by step. When a task looks daunting or the way ahead too steep, just take it one step at a time.
This applies to looking into the future as well. Too often we try to foresee all scenarios, or we find ourselves, like Mara, worrying about what’s going to happen weeks or even months ahead (see pp. 8–9), but God tells us, “Take it a day at a time.”1 We aren’t equipped to deal with our future cares today, but with God’s help, we can face each challenge as it comes.
No matter what happens this year, remember that Jesus loves you unconditionally and He will care for you. “I love you with an everlasting love,” He says. “So I will continue to show you my kindness.”2
A very happy 2020 to you and yours from all of us at Activated.