Steps

If you’ve ever stayed in a beach-house, one thing is certain: there will be steps – steps to the main floor, steps to the second floor and steps to the beach. Well, guess what? There are steps in the life of every Follower of Jesus Christ. King Solomon wrote, “Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).  In other words, behave yourself; think about your behavior if it is righteous or unrighteous, wise or foolish.  There is a definite and direct connection between a Believer’s profession of Christ and his-her behavior! Solomon’s words “guard your steps and focus on what you are doing” is re-emphasized in Verse 7: “Reverently fear God [and worship Him with awe-filled respect, knowing who God is].”  Admittedly, I often fail in this instruction because I behave-act-walk out of an unguarded heart!  Scripture tells us, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” (Psalm 37:23); and, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23). Truth is, an unguarded heart produces unordered and unguarded steps. Furthermore, the ordered and guarded heart will be evident because he-she is walking in-by The Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). See, it’s true – steps are inevitable at the beach and in the Believer’s life.  It’s always good we consider our steps: How are you a’steppin’?