21/02/2026
The Next Step
By Lance Green
In our spiritual journey, we often want to see the entire roadmap before we begin walking. We desire to know exactly where God is leading us, how we'll get there, and when we'll arrive. However, God operates differently than our human expectations. He calls us to take one step at a time, trusting Him for the journey ahead.
Why Do We Want to See the Whole Plan?
Growing up, most of us had big dreams and plans for our future. We wanted to be something significant, accomplish great things, and make our mark on the world. The tension comes when we want our "one day" dreams to become reality today. We hate waiting and want immediate results.
Mike Tyson once said, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Plans are good, but what happens when they don't unfold as we expected? This is where faith must step in.
How Does God Reveal His Will?
Looking at the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, we see a powerful example of how God works. When God told Samuel to go anoint the next king of Israel, He didn't give him the complete picture. God simply said, "Go to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons... I will show you what you shall do."
God's Will is Revealed Through Obedience
God's will in your life is never revealed all at once. It's revealed progressively through obedience. If God showed us the entire journey, we would likely try to control it or find ways to avoid the difficult parts. Sometimes the valleys we must walk through are necessary for our growth and development.
God keeps us close so we stay dependent on Him. He doesn't hide His will to be mysterious, but reveals it step by step to build our faith and trust.
What Does "Thy Word is a Lamp" Really Mean?
Psalm 119:105 tells us, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Notice that a lamp lights your feet, not the entire path ahead. In ancient times, a lamp was a small clay vessel with limited light - just enough to see the next step clearly.
God's Word isn't meant to be a floodlight illuminating the next ten years of your life. It's a lamp for today, providing just enough light to take the next faithful step forward.
How Do We Discover God's Will?
You don't discover God's will by waiting - you discover it by walking. If you want to know what God has planned for your marriage, career, family, or ministry, take the next step you know to take. When you do, God will show you the next step after that.
The Biblical Pattern: Relationship, Obedience, Clarity
Everything starts with relationship. You must know God through reading His Word, prayer, and learning how He speaks to you. After relationship comes obedience - being willing to do what God tells you. Only then comes clarity.
We often want this order reversed. We want clarity first, then we'll obey. But God requires relationship and obedience before providing clarity.
What Are the Clear Next Steps in Scripture?
For those exploring faith, the Bible provides clear, sequential steps:
Believe - "He that comes to God must believe that He is"
Repent - Turn away from sin and toward God
Be Baptized - Make a public profession of faith
Be Filled with the Spirit - Receive God's power for living
Acts 2:38 outlines this clearly: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Why Do Christians Feel Stuck?
Many believers feel stagnant in their spiritual journey because they haven't been obedient to the next step God has already shown them. God isn't judging you based on where others are in their journey - He's looking for you to take your personal next step.
When you feel distant from God or spiritually stuck, it's often not because you've fallen away, but because you haven't obeyed what you already know to do. This might involve:
Daily prayer and Bible reading
Forgiving someone who hurt you
Being baptized if you haven't yet
Letting go of bitterness or anger
Following through on a commitment you've made
What Happens When We Take the Next Step?
Clarity always follows obedience. You cannot get ahead of obedience or detour around it. When you don't know what to do, keep doing what you already know to do - pray, read Scripture, attend church, and follow God's clear commands.
The path forward becomes clearer when we follow the principles of obedience. God wants to be involved in the details of your journey, not just your final destination.
Why Does One Step Matter So Much?
Consider the impact of Samuel's obedience. When God told him to go to Jesse's house, Samuel could have demanded more information. Instead, he took the step of faith. This led to David being anointed as king, which was necessary for the lineage that would eventually bring Jesus Christ into the world.
Romans 5:19 reminds us: "Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous." Eternity hung on the obedience of one man taking the right next step.
Your obedience today might seem small, but it could have generational impact. The step you take could affect not just your life, but your children's lives and beyond.
Life Application
This week, identify the next step God has already shown you in your spiritual journey. Stop trying to figure out the entire plan and focus on what you know to do right now. Whether it's beginning a daily prayer routine, forgiving someone, getting baptized, or simply being more consistent in reading Scripture, take that step.
Remember: you discover God's will by walking, not by waiting. When you take one faithful step forward, God will illuminate the next one.
Questions for Reflection:
What next step has God already shown me that I've been avoiding or delaying?
Am I trying to get clarity before obedience, or am I willing to trust God's timing?
How might my obedience today impact not just my life, but future generations?
What would change in my life if I truly believed that God's Word is sufficient light for my next step?