Today we will explore the final step in the Moving Forward Series as illustrated in John 5:1-11. If you missed Step 1, 2 or 3 of the series you can read them here: Dear Future I’m Ready , It’s Time to Get Up and Take Up Your Bed.
The final step to take if you are ready to move forward is: Walk – John 5:8-9 reads “Jesus said to him ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked.'”
Moving forward takes a tremendous amount of courage, and taking those first steps require faith. Jesus gave simple instructions – “Rise up, pick up your bed, and walk.” Sometimes Jesus gives us instructions and instead of following them, we question, we ask others for confirmation, we doubt, we disobey, we stall, and we procrastinate.
The man at the pool had a miracle as soon as Jesus spoke. The scripture says that immediately after Jesus gave the command, the man was made well. God has granted us favor and grace for the next step in our lives. But many times, we do not get to experience what is already ours because we don’t follow through on God’s instructions.
The man at Bethesda would not have moved on with his life if he did not take a step. He could not have experienced the miracle if he remained on his mat. He would not have experienced his healing if he chose to not follow Jesus’ instructions.
What is God instructing you to do today? How are you responding? Are you walking immediately or are you stalling? Is fear and doubt keeping you back? Are trying to make sure you have all the answers before you take a step? Let God be God. If He instructs you, he will prepare a way for you. Surely God intends for us to live life more abundantly and thus, He has a great purpose for each of his children. But we cannot get there if we are stuck in the past. We cannot get there if we continue to hold on to our yesterdays. We cannot get there without putting one foot ahead of the other.
Take a step forward; take a step of faith. This man was an invalid and had not been able to do this for 38 years…but Jesus said walk so he walked. Jesus wants you to walk. Walk in faith. Put one step out and then another and then another. Baby steps are acceptable as long as you walk. Put in the application. Walk. Do the research. Walk. Have faith. Walk. Sow a seed. Walk.
Prayer without this step is nothing. Faith without this step is nothing. You’ve got to walk into your future. No one will drive you there. No one will pick up. Jesus will present the opportunity, but you still have to choose to walk into it.
