Just the First Step

Today is a good day. A really, really good day. Today, we celebrate the achievements of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a moral and spiritual leader who became a giant of the American civil rights movement in the 1960’s.

I picked up my MLK Tee shirt at the Y last week. I loved that it was purple and was even more intrigued by the design of the shirt…. A staircase with the following quote: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Think for a few moments about a goal that you really want to accomplish, but your uncertain if it will ever happen. You worry if you can really can get that master’s degree, pay off your school loan, get a promotion, influence your city, run for office or even run a marathon. For me, my own insecurities and fears can get in the way of making my goals a reality. But King encourages us to at least start the journey toward our goal even if we can’t see the complete path toward it. We trust in faith that we will reach our goal.

The writer of Hebrews states: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) We may not see the top of the staircase right now. Instead, we partner with God, trusting Him each step of the way, knowing He will see us through. We learn to walk by faith, not by sight, when we don’t see what we want to see. We ask for help when we fall backwards, knowing that God loves to extend His grace and mercy. That’s the faith journey and so worth it! 

Martin Luther King’s life embodied faith and trust in God. He didn’t have to see the top of the staircase.  He knew his weakness, insecurities and fear and trusted in a faithful God to carry Him. What if He had tried to plan out his entire life until the ripe old age of 85 or 90? He died at 39! King had learned wisdom from God to trust him for each day. Take a moment today and invite God to show you how you can learn from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio