011708

January 17, 2008

Small Steps Toward Your Goals

by Shana Schutte

Mildred McAfee wrote, "If you have a great ambition, take as big a step as possible in the direction of fulfilling it. The step may only be a tiny one, but trust that it may be the largest one possible for now."

If you're anything like me, you often need help remembering to take one small step at a time toward your goals. Why? Because you have the amazing capability to look at the "big picture" for so long that you become completely overwhelmed.

It can be any "big picture," like the picture of five baskets of laundry sitting in the middle of your living room, or your sink that is full of dishes. Or it might be the marketing campaign that you're heading up, or an after-work dinner party that you volunteered to organize. Whatever it is, often times, if we look at the "big picture" long enough without keeping our eyes on Jesus, and taking one step at a time, we can become overwhelmed.

Today was a day like that for me. I had a list as long as Santa's for things that needed to be accomplished. Thankfully, after fretting for a while, I decided to get quiet and pray. God reminded me to take the advice of Mildred McAfee and take one step at a time. I did, and an amazing thing happened...my emotional load lightened! After making one phone call and checking it off on my list of "To-Dos," I didn't feel as overwhelmed. I thought, Well, that wasn't so hard.

I was also reminded of the obvious: that completing one task leads to the next. Just like walking, we can accomplish what God has given us to do, one step at a time.

My point? If you feel overwhelmed because there are too many things to do, just take one small step in the right direction and I guarantee you'll feel better. After all, God has given you all the time that you need to accomplish all that He has assigned to you today.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.." (Romans 5:8)

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