I am finding that brave does not happen when you allow yourself to be stuck. I wrote earlier in the series that staying still does mean staying stuck. Let me define still a little bit more. Still is when you are inviting God to be present in your quiet so you may center your thoughts on Him. It is not freezing in fear or uncertainty so that moving forward becomes impossible. Staying stuck is a conscious choice that involves no movement in thought or action. So which will you choose? Staying still to quiet your mind and fill it with God or staying stuck, which has you frozen in time?
Today we are looking at taking one more step. In our stillness, the challenges and times of seeking what’s next, we might question how to take that next step. How do we extend grace to ourselves and others? How do we move forward when we we can’t see the way? What does one more step look like when the challenge is bigger than ourselves?
Rachel Wojo, in her new book, One More Step, takes us through her life and the challenges that she faced all the while teaching us how to take one more step. Rachel points us to God’s word and truth to carry us forward. Every step she took as she faced her own challenges was a brave step toward God, who she knew would ultimately carry her through.
Her chapter on grace impacted me greatly. After reading Rachel’s words on necessary grace, I connected how grace is needed in our journey to brave faith. Any journey is full of bumps, twists and unexpected turns. The path to brave faith is no different. Rachel writes, “grace is truly something each of us needs, especially when we feel like giving up”. How often do we want to end a journey when it doesn’t seem to be leading us where we want to go or when the way gets too hard? The grace of God was first present when Jesus came to earth in human form. God gives us grace because He loves us just as He loved His son. God’s biggest desire is to walk with us as we learn to bravely say “yes” and to gift us with grace along the way.
[Tweet “God gives us the gift of grace,when we feel like giving up,as a boost on our journey to brave faith.”]
Rachel wisely writes, “The situation we wish God would remove from our lives are often the lessons God uses to teach us to rely on Him.” She was referencing how God was teaching Paul that His grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in weakness. When we accept God’s grace and admit we are weak, we are learning to be brave. I love how God teaches us not only through his stories, but in the words of others who cross our paths. Rachel’s book, One More Step, has done that for me.
In our stillness of mind and body, let’s embrace God’s grace as a gift for ourselves when we are uncertain of that next step. Let’s be kind to ourselves when brave looks like preparing our heart and mind for all God is going to do. Brave is not always a huge step that looks like leaping tall buildings or an obvious action that others immediately attribute to being brave. It is a gift of releasing all to God so brave can fill the spaces in our hearts we emptied for God.
Brave is a journey. It is baby steps toward choosing God while at the same time surrendering ourselves to His plans. It is looking forward even if we are in a waiting period. I will leave you with these words from Rachel Wojo…
Consistent movement in the present is what propels us toward the future.
Let’s keep our eyes focused on God as we walk forward bravely.
Mary
All posts for this 31 days series can be found by clicking the button below.
If you would like to know more about Rachel Wojo’s book, One More Step, or are interested in buying it for yourself, click the book icon. All opinions of this book are mine and I received no personal benefits by promoting this book.
Blessed to be joining these lovely blogs:
Waiting on God is brave . . . and oh so hard! Especially when it’s teaching moment, which it almost always is, in my experience. Thank you for sharing more about being still and for sharing Rachel’s book. Blessings!
Waiting on God is my season right now. I am working hard to be still and not stuck. Life hands you challenges every time you turn around but God is there to look those challenges right in the eye with us. You have been so faithful in visiting my blog and encouraging me for the 31 days. I appreciate you so much!
Grace is such a beautiful gift! So much THIS: “The grace of God was first present when Jesus came to earth in human form. God gives us grace because He loves us just as He loved His son. God’s biggest desire is to walk with us as we learn to bravely say “yes” and to gift us with grace along the way.” I think I need to add Rachel’s book to my all ready growing “to read” list!
I know I seem to be sharing a lot of good books lately, but as readers we are blessed by all the beautiful choices that are available now. I knew that speaking about grace today would grab your attention as well as show you how grace is on our bravery too. Here’s to finishing strong my friend!
Mary,
Thank you for differentiating between being “still” and being “stuck”. Sometimes I look at just how many steps are in front of me and I panic…like a deer stuck in the headlights. Like you said, God encourages me, through grace, to move forward one baby step at a time. Trying to learn to rejoice in the small steps made.
Thank you so much for your prayers…tired, worn, and weary with my dogs’ continual ups and downs…
Love and blessings,
Bev
I understand the panic when life seems overwhelming. I describe it as putting the mountain in front of you before it even appears in sight. We don’t need to create a mountain if it is not in reality even there. Baby steps are doable. I pray we remember to take the baby steps toward God and He will make sure we have the strength when bigger steps are needed. Hugs from afar!
The little things. Sometimes it takes a whole lot of brave to put one foot in front of the other and get through a day. That is #BRAVE and I’ve definitely had a season or two of just that in my lifetime. I love that poem on doing “THE NEXT THING” – because even that is BRAVE. Your series has been excellent and consistent!
Thank you for the reminder tonight that sometimes we have seasons that require extra bravery just to out one foot in front of another. I can relate to that currently. I love that you have been on this brave journey with me. It makes it so much easier!!! 🙂
Ah yes… you know I am a fan of (Abounding) Grace! 😉 I love this: “Brave is a journey. It is baby steps toward choosing God while at the same time surrendering ourselves to His plans. It is looking forward even if we are in a waiting period.” It’s so true… and it takes grace to surrender – and to keep moving forward!
Amen to grace. I cannot live without it and seem to be asking for it from others often. I am weak and a sinner and I am humbled that God redeems me with His grace time after time. Rachel’s book, One More Step, is a beautiful example to all not only of redeeming grace but also of how faith in God will pull you through any challenge life throws at you. It is the story of a brave journey that is made possible by God. Thanks for being here.
Kudos to you, Mary, for blogging for almost a month now on being brave. I’ve loved the point you make about how bravery doesn’t have to be big, it can be the small, daily things. Also love the difference you point out between stillness and being stuck. I need some stillness in my life today!
Don’t we all crave stillness in our lives? I am finding it ironic but also enlightening that the reason I am writing about brave is because this is exactly what God needs me to learn right now. Every post has a been a lesson for me and I hope for others as well. I am blessed by the community that joins in this challenge, but also the readers who have followed me along the way.
“The situation we wish God would remove from our lives are often the lessons God uses to teach us to rely on Him.” – these are wise words from Rachel Wojo that ring true in my experience. It’s always been the things I long to run away from that God has used to teach me deeper lessons. And our whole life journey is drawing closer to saying yes to all God has in store for us, one baby step of faith at a time. Thank you, Mary. You are helping me here more than you know. Bless you, friend. 🙂 Xx
Rachel Wojo’s book, One More Step, is a beautiful lesson in trust in God as we move forward in our lives. I have a situation right now that I wish would just disappear but I know God has more in store before He will allow me to move on. It is humbling and also frustrating to know that I am basically a very slow learner. I am praying for you as you continue to learn and hear from God in your own life that you know without a doubt that He loves you endlessly.
This is beautiful, Mary. You know … a lot of people are talking about “brave” right now. I haven’t given it much thought–until reading this post. I love that you say it is “baby steps” … I can just see the image … definitely a little fearful, but trusting God as we move forward … and finding He is safe … and we are more brave for the next step. Thanks for this!
Baby steps are the only way to go. I have learned when I straddle the staircase of life, I am often not very successful. I know God is just shaking His head at me, saying “I told you that is not the way”. It seems it takes me much longer to learn the lessons that He is teaching me. So glad you joined me and love that you could embrace the image of baby steps today.
My favourite line from your blog post:
“Staying still to quiet your mind and fill it with God or staying stuck, which has you frozen in time?”
Well said! I choose to stay still, not stuck so I can be brave!
#RaRaLinkup Connected us 🙂
Let’s be brave together, Sherry! God has me in a time of waiting and during this time I am learning (somedays not very well) how to listen in stillness so His voice is present and the voice of distractions is not. It is a life lesson that will lead me not only to a deeper relationship with God, but also help me in being brave for His calling. Thank you for stopping by!
Hey Mary …
I love your distinction between being still and being stuck. One is life-giving, the other life-sapping.
Thanks for the clarity here!
{we’re . almost . done!!!}
It seems that we would always want to choose something that is life-giving, but you and I know that does not always happen. People feel most comfortable staying stuck because it is familiar and doesn’t require any motivation once you are there. God calls us to Him and that journey requires taking steps, which do not happen when we are stuck. So glad you joined in and yes that we are almost done. The home stretch is the most difficult of all!