The Power of the First Step

The Power of the First Step

A child taking their first steps is a beautiful sight. They may stumble, wobble, and even fall—but nobody laughs at them. Everyone celebrates because a journey has begun.

Sometimes, that is all God is asking of you: take the first step.

Scripture

“In this first bloody encounter, Jonathan and his armor bearer killed about twenty men. That set off a terrific upheaval in both camp and field, the soldiers in the garrison and the raiding squad badly shaken up, the ground itself shuddering—panic like you’ve never seen before!”(1 Samuel 14:14–15)

Explanation
Jonathan and his armour-bearer did not begin by defeating thousands. They started with a small but courageous action. In their first encounter, they killed about twenty men—and that seemingly small victory triggered something much bigger.

The enemy camp was thrown into confusion. Panic spread. The ground shook. What looked like a small beginning became the spark for a great victory.

That is the power of the first step.

You never really know what your first step will set in motion until you take it.

Think about the four lepers sitting outside Samaria. They were facing death, but they refused to remain where they were. They asked:

“Why sit we here until we die?”(2 Kings 7:3)

They took a step—and discovered that God had already gone ahead of them.

Application
What is the step you have been afraid to take?

You may not have all the answers. You may not feel ready. You may not know exactly how things will turn out.

Take the first step anyway.

Start the business. Write the book. Make the call. Apply for the opportunity. Have the conversation. Begin the project. Obey the instruction God has placed in your heart.

Your first step may look insignificant, but you don't know what God has connected to it.

Don't despise the beginning. Take the step.

Reflection
What would change in your life if you stopped waiting for the perfect moment and simply took the first step?

Prayer
Lord, give me courage to take the first step. Deliver me from the fear of failure and the paralysis of uncertainty. Help me trust that You can use my small beginning to produce a great result. Go before me and make a way where I cannot yet see one. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Discussion Question
What is one first step you need to take, and what has been stopping you from taking it?

Have a fruitful day,

(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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