Take a Step

 

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore. (Genesis 8:6-12 ESV).

 

God spoke to Noah before the flood and gave instructions on building the ark (cf. Genesis 6:13; 7:1). God also spoke to Noah after the flood water had receded enough (cf. Genesis 8:16). There seems to be a period of time, however, when Noah was on the ark and the rains had stopped, that God wasn’t giving him instruction. Noah did not have the full picture of his “next steps.” What he did have was the ability to send out the birds. First, he sent the raven, then a dove. In essence, Noah was simply doing what he did know to do. There can be situations that cause us to try and figure out what God is doing in our life, or what His purpose is. During these times we can sit back and pray, looking for a grand vision, or even wait for an audible voice from God. However, more often than not, we simply must take the next step that we know to take.

 

The application in all of our lives, young and old, is very clear. Maybe you are in need of a job, and could start applying instead of sitting back and waiting for one to fall in your lap. You may even start planning a major life change and see if there are any roadblocks on the way, or if doors are opening for you. Perhaps there are people you know that have been trusted advisors for you in the past. Talk with them. Gain information and possible plans of action will begin to form. This is the essence of wisdom.

 

Fear is our greatest enemy. We can be so anxious of making the wrong choice that we forget that God is with us as we make these decisions (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6). It is wise to seek counsel, but may we also be confident that when we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit will be with us in our decision making. Should you be taking a step?