It's amazing what taking a step will do.
At the exit of the St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, a nearby
city to where I live, there is an automatic gate.
This gate is designed to raise when a car activates a hidden sensor near the
exit. As you drive down the ramp and approach the gate, it remains down, firmly
blocking the exit. However, as you draw closer to it, the arm swings up and you
may proceed to go through it.
Now, if you were to park your car just a few feet away from the exit, this gate
would stay closed. Only as you move forward does it open.
Likewise, you and I often find barriers across our pathway in our everyday
lives. Perhaps it is an illness or a financial burden. Or maybe it is a strained
relationship or a difficult decision. It could even be a nagging sin that we
continue to find ourselves struggling against. Whatever it is, we sometimes find
that there is a gate that remains down across our path.
So, how do we move the barrier? How do we "raise the gate"? The answer is often,
by simply taking a step forward.
You see, the Bible teaches that we walk by faith, not by sight. (II Corinthians
5:7). Most would conclude that this verse means that we must walk by faith even
when we cannot see. But, let us also consider that we must walk by faith because
we CAN see - we can see an obstacle before us. To overcome the obstacle we need
faith.
My friend, is there some barrier across your path right now? Is there some
obstacle that you see no way around? Move ahead. Proceed. Let God open the gate.
It's amazing what taking a step will do!
Jimmy D. Brown
dailydevotional-785@mybizbots.com
Copyright 2003 Jimmy D. Brown Permission is granted to reprint today's
devotional for all non-commercial works as long as this copyright information is
included.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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