by Graham Mol
I’m currently reading through a series of novels by one of my favourite authors and the following quote from the one book has stuck with me:
“The most important step a man can take. It’s not the first one, is it? It’s the next one. Always the next step, Dalinar.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer

The most important step a person can take is always the next one. I love the wisdom contained in this statement. No matter where you are on your journey, whether it began days or years ago, whether it has been going well or not, whether you have been successful or made mistakes, the next step still remains the most important one. We find in this concept the Biblically extolled virtue of perseverance.
We see the importance of perseverance spoken of in Scripture. Jesus (and Paul) said that we should be persistent in prayer (Luke 18:1-8; Romans 12:12), our Lord told us to keep seeking, asking and knocking (Matthew 7:7-8). We are encouraged by the author of Hebrews to run this race of life with perseverance/endurance (Hebrews 12:1). We should not grow weary in doing good for we will reap the harvest in the end (Galatians 6:9), and those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). Those who remain steadfast under trial will receive the crown of life (James 1:12).
There is joy and challenge in seeing the next step as the most important one. The joy of knowing that no matter what has come before or befallen us, we always have a “next step”. The challenge is for us not to stop where we are, to not give up or in, and step out once again, in faith, in our journey with the Lord.
Finally I wish to share a portion of Proverbs that captures the essence of the importance of the next step. May these words of wisdom resonate with you as you head into the rest of this week.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
(Proverbs 4:25-26)
God Bless
Graham