Published by The importance of first steps cannot be underestimated. All of us, at times, find ourselves in a deep hole of our own making, wondering, “How in the world did I get here?” What went wrong? I tell you that our first steps are crucial in determining the overall direction we take in a given situation.
Take wading as an example. Anyone who has attempted to wade across a river understands that all it takes is one misstep to be caught up in a current from which it is difficult to escape. Every step must be taken with great care and planning. This is especially true when taking your first step off land, or out of a boat. That first step can trip you up and land you right on your behind.
So it is in our spiritual lives. When you are faced with a given situation, circumstance, or temptation, where does your first step take you. Do you take a step toward God, or do you take a step toward sin? After all, one little step toward sin does not hurt, right? And, of course, now that you have taken one step toward sin, why not another? It isn’t hurting anybody, and you can still turn and go back to God whenever you want, right?
Wrong.
Before you know it, you are caught up in a deadly current of sin, and you are helplessly moving toward an unhappy ending. You didn’t watch your first step. Sin caught you.
You have to understand something, as a Christian, which the world already knows quite well. Sin is fun, and sin feels good. Would temptation be so powerful if sin didn’t feel good? I think not. So it is even easier to take a step in the wrong direction, just to have a small “taste” of sin.
But the Bible says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Take your first step toward God when you are faced with a situation. He will never send you down a current of sin and bad consequences. He may ask for much from you, even your own life, but your reward will be great.
Always remember the importance of first steps. It can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
