See the steps in this photograph? I took this picture from the car while sitting at a stoplight in Pittsburgh more than a year ago. I don’t know if the steps lead to another sidewalk or directly to a house.
To find out exactly where they go I would have had to get out of the car and walk up the steps.
I would have had to put one foot in front of the other and take one step at a time.
I would have had to venture into the unknown because I don’t know exactly what is at the top of the steps.
Unlike these steps that lead directly to the door. Without question, if I were to walk up these steps I would reach the door at the end.
Life’s journey is not always down a clear path. There are bumps and turns and I don’t see the way as clearly as I would like to sometimes. But I must continue walking down the road.
I can’t just stop and sit. Waiting until I can see the end result.
As I enter this new year I recognize that I am on a journey. And this journey may lead me into places that I don’t really want to go, but it may also lead me to places that I am excited to visit.
I am reminded of the wise men who journeyed to see Jesus. They were told to follow the star and they did. It wasn’t a short trip. Yet, they continued on.
Last Sunday, we celebrated The Epiphany. The priest said the wise men were on “a journey of hope.”
That is how I want to view my journey…as one of hope.
So, I enter the new year focusing on the hope.
The hope I have in Jesus.
The hope I have in being his child.
The hope that will sustain me as I travel an unknown path.
Where is your hope?
Hi Mary, Great point. We think we want to see the end from the beginning, but I am learning that it is often God's grace that only lets me see one step at a time. You're right, we can have hope that whatever the journey we can have hope because we're never alone.
We are never alone…YES! Thank you for stopping by.
"a journey of hope" – I love that, Mary. That's the journey I want to be on too, actually walking up the steps. Hope you're continuing to feel better!
You know, Lisa, as soon as he said "journey of hope" I knew there was a nugget of wisdom I needed to ponder. Thank you so much for being a faithful friend!
Mary,
Thanks for being part of God's voice to tell me to just keep taking one step at a time and to place my hope in Him…lovely new photo of you…Happy and hopeful New Year to you 🙂
Dolly, I'm so thankful He used my words to speak to you. Thank YOU for sharing. Happy New Year to you.
This is amazing. I just posted my word for the year which is Hope and then I got this in my email box. too wonderful to ignore. Thank you.
You are welcome…I'm so glad He used my words. I haven't been writing much, so this is encouraging. Blessings to you….
You know, Mary, if I didn't have hope (especially in light of all the horrors of today's world), I don't thnk I could go on. I suffer from severe depression at times (and in fact, in my twenties, was suically depressed for ten years–wanting to take my life, every single day). I didn't know Christ then, but His hand was upon me. I realize now that He would send hope, sometimes in little ways, like through someone's smile or kind words). But even as a Christian, I can become depressed. But because God is a God of hope, and because He is infinite, His hope is exhaustless and His mercies are new every morning. We can go on, because the Lord gives us real hope to encourage us. Christ *is* our hope. Thank you for sharing. You've uplifted me.
Fondly,
Lynn
Lynn, I am humbled and blessed that my words mean anything to you. It is only through Him that my words mean anything.
I would love to connect with you, but when I click on your name I don't find a blog or way to do so. I hope we connect again.
Blessings to you…
Mary,
HOPE is essential to life; I think without it we die. Sometimes, literally, but most of the time emotionally, spiritually, even psychologically. I love your stair-step analogy, both to that which we see…and don't. That's life, isn't it? Of course, sometimes we THINK we see what's ahead, but we miss that crack in the sidewalk or sinkhole or whatEVER on our path until we get to it.
Happiest of new years to one of my favorite-ist of people :). xo
:-)…You are one of my FAVORITE-IST people too!!
When I read this a few days ago I forgot to leave a comment. The reason was because a good friend of mine and her family are in the midst of making a tough decision about her husbands job/moving the family, etc. and this post seemed so timely for her that I immediately sent it to her.
She was very grateful, so thank you.