Next Steps
READ
GPS technology has revolutionized how we navigate the world. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the entire journey from California to New York, we simply follow the next instruction: "Turn right in 500 feet." The beauty of GPS isn't that it eliminates the complexity of the journey, but that it breaks it down into manageable, clear next steps.
Discipleship works remarkably similarly. When we first begin following Jesus, the path ahead can seem overwhelming. How do we become more like Christ? How do we break free from persistent sins? How do we develop spiritual disciplines? How do we learn to love difficult people? The destination is clear—becoming more like Jesus—but the route can feel impossibly complex. This is where the wisdom of today’s passage becomes profoundly practical.
Let’s take a moment to read Proverbs 16:9:
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
REFLECT
We make our plans, we set our spiritual goals, we envision the kind of disciples we want to become. But it's God who establishes our actual steps. He's the one who provides the clear next step we need in this moment, right where we are, with our specific struggles and circumstances.
Notice that this verse doesn't discourage planning. Planning shows we care about our destination and want to be intentional about our growth. But it reminds us that our detailed five-year spiritual growth plans aren't what transform us—it's taking the next step God places in front of us today.
What does a "clear next step" look like in discipleship? It's beautifully simple and deeply personal. For someone struggling with anger, the next step might be pausing to take three deep breaths before responding to frustration. For someone wanting to grow in prayer, it might be starting with just five minutes of honest conversation with God each morning. For someone dealing with pride, the next step might be asking for forgiveness from one person they've wronged.
The enemy of discipleship isn't usually dramatic failure—it's the paralysis that comes from trying to change everything at once. We read about spiritual giants and think we need to immediately prayer for two hours daily, memorize entire books of the Bible, and serve at church every week. But transformation rarely works that way. God knows we need sustainable, manageable steps that build momentum rather than create burnout.
Jesus modeled this beautifully with His disciples. He didn't overwhelm them with everything they needed to know on day one. Instead, He gave them clear, simple next steps: "Come, follow Me." Later: "Go into this town and find a place for us to stay." Then: "Stay here and pray while I go a little farther." Each step prepared them for what was coming next.
This approach requires tremendous trust. We want to see the whole staircase, but God asks us to take the next step even when we can't see where it leads. We want to know how our current struggles will be resolved, but God asks us to be faithful with today's opportunities to grow. We want guarantees about outcomes, but God asks us to trust His established steps.
The beauty of clear next steps is that they're always within reach. God never asks us to do something impossible with our current resources and maturity. He might ask us to do something that feels challenging or uncomfortable, but He provides the grace and strength needed for each step. This is why discipleship isn't about trying harder, but about trusting deeper—trusting that God knows exactly what we need for growth.
Sometimes the next step isn't about adding something new to our lives, but about stopping something that's hindering our growth. Maybe it's turning off our phones during meals to create space for deeper family conversations. Maybe it's choosing to drive in silence sometimes instead of filling every moment with podcasts or music, creating space to notice God's presence.
Here's what's incredible: as we take the clear next steps God establishes, we begin to develop spiritual momentum. What felt impossible last month becomes natural. What required tremendous effort six months ago now happens almost instinctively. This is the compound effect of faithful, incremental discipleship.
The question isn't whether we'll eventually arrive at spiritual maturity—the question is whether we'll take the next step God is establishing for us today. He's not asking for perfection. He's asking for the next step of faithful obedience, knowing that each step is building something beautiful in us.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
What clear next step do you sense God might be establishing for your spiritual growth right now?
How has trying to change too much too quickly hindered your discipleship journey in the past?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's timing rather than forcing your own plans?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Father, help us to trust Your perfect timing and wisdom in establishing our steps. When we're tempted to rush ahead or change everything at once, remind us that transformation happens one faithful step at a time. Give us eyes to see the clear next step You've placed before us today and courage to take it. Amen.