Firm steps

"When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble" (Proverbs 4:12); "He makes [our] steps firm..." (Psalm 37:23).

Notice that Proverbs 4:12 says steps, not giant leaps. The child begins with steps and each duty begins with steps. A person is the details -- the steps -- of his or her life. A step is a process in the right or the wrong direction. The walk indicates that life normally is ordinary; the run tells us that our life will have its stunning moments -- its emergencies when even greater faith and decision are called for. And in either the walk or the run, we will not stumble, because our Father has promised this.

For those of us who want to leap through life or who feel that God requires this of us, when Jesus was on earth He didn't talk about big plans or things. His concern was the children, the sparrows, the lilies, and the hairs on our heads. It is so comforting to know that He is interested in everything that touches our lives, especially what we consider to be inconsequential. Our Father knows and understands the consequences of despising the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10). God's Word is filled with His regard for the small things of life as well as for the large emotions.

Great success in God's view can be small success in the world's perception, also. Our age of "bigger is better" camouflages the fact that Jesus Himself never belonged to the current fashions and the clubs. He was never an officer but always a Gentleman! He simply and quietly went about doing His modest and good works, not shouting in the streets to be noticed.

"And a little child will lead [us]" (Isaiah 11:6). A small, innocent, simple, and unafraid child often leads the worldly mighty to our Father with firm and unhampered steps.