The First Step
Download MP3Welcome to a place of peace, hope, and divine encouragement. This is Joy in Every Step with your host, beloved preacher, retired teacher, and faithful servant of the Lord, Sarita Bernadette. Each week, Sarita shares heartfelt messages rooted in the word of God, filled with wisdom, joy, and the gentle reminder that God cares deeply for you. Whether you're walking through the valleys or dancing on the mountaintops, Sarita's voice will guide you back to his promises step by step. So open your heart, settle your spirit, and take the next step in faith with joy in every step.
Sarita Bernadette:Hi. I'm Sarita Bernadette, and welcome to Joy in Every Step. This is a podcast for folks looking to hear an encouraging word delivered through the sharing of information, reflections on life's lessons and even thought provoking discussion. If you're looking to deepen your faith journey, you're in the right place. Have you ever been late to an event?
Sarita Bernadette:You know, you're supposed to go and you know it. You know you're supposed to be there. But things happen that cause a delay. You're not able to get there when you really want to and things seem to get started without you. Does anybody relate?
Sarita Bernadette:Well there's a scripture in the book of Habakkuk that tells us the vision is for an appointed time. In the end it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it. It will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Sarita Bernadette:I believe sometimes what seems like a delay is simply the grace of God giving us the time to get our act together. He gives us time to get with the plan. He gives us time to come around. He gives us time to get clear about the mission. He sends us down the path that will benefit us the most while he makes it plain that this thing, this thing is not going forward until the time is right, until it's appointed time.
Sarita Bernadette:So deep breath, here I am. Here we are episode one, the first step. I don't remember the exact moment that I became a fan of words and conversation in general. I just know that as a child, I developed a real passion for words and conversations, while at the same time, I can remember constantly observing and thinking deeply about what I was hearing and what was happening all around me. You see, as an only child, this meant that I was often listening to adult conversations and trying to process a whole lot of information that was way beyond my development.
Sarita Bernadette:I couldn't always express what I was thinking, but I was thinking and I was analyzing everything. Now as an adult, I understand that children listening to adults interact can be a positive thing. Those conversations can serve to teach them about the adult world and how it operates. Thought processes are modeled before them and they can learn how decisions are made. Studies have also shown that exposure to adult conversations facilitates language development and even increases the likelihood of academic success.
Sarita Bernadette:So I believe my affinity for eavesdropping helped to nurture a God given gift for teaching and for ministering. I grew up in Buffalo, New York and I attended a Baptist church there. I was baptized at seven and I recall being at the front of the church that day alongside another young girl whose name I can remember to this day. And when the moment came to recite the church creed, I was anxious about getting it right. I was anxious about possibly missing a word and embarrassing my parents.
Sarita Bernadette:I wanted to get the words right. I wanted to recite that creed flawlessly. So there I was in my new white frock with my white lace gloves and my shiny black patent leather Mary Janes worried, worried and feeling sick and missing the joy in what was happening. No, my recitation wasn't perfect, but it was good and acceptable. And my parents, along with the congregation, celebrated this next step in my faith journey.
Sarita Bernadette:As I reflect on that moment, I can see how it's possible for us to miss out on the joy in our lives when we focus on the wrong things. When we allow what's missing or not perfect. When we allow it to pull our focus, we make that the thing and not the actual thing that God is orchestrating. What joy might we be missing? You know, some of us humans can get stuck on the details.
Sarita Bernadette:We know who we are. The details can really bog one down if one is not careful. What joy are we missing out on right now? Right now. Quick Bible connection here.
Sarita Bernadette:In the book of Exodus, the third chapter, Moses has an encounter with the Lord on Mount Sinai. There the Lord appears to him in a burning bush and tells him clearly that he's being sent into Egypt to rescue his people from bondage. I mean, a burning bush people. God identifies himself so there's no doubt who it is. He tells Moses, I am that I am.
Sarita Bernadette:I'm sending you, and they will have to listen to you because of who I am. And what does Moses spend time on right here? You know, fear. He responds to the Lord twice, questioning him, asking, who am I to approach the pharaoh? What if they don't listen to me?
Sarita Bernadette:As I read this account recently, I thought about the fact that in this spectacular moment, Moses' initial reaction isn't to be thrilled, but to be afraid. I wouldn't expect him to go running down the mountain full of pride. No, I'm not saying that. You know, like, hey, God picked me. He chose me.
Sarita Bernadette:No, that's that's not what I'm saying. What I'm wondering is when we are faced with some big moment that God sets up for us, do we somehow miss the joy in that moment? And spoiler alert for those of you who will, I hope, delve deeper into the story of Moses, he did find his voice. He did eventually understand the magnitude of the moment. And he actually went on to lead God's people out of Egypt.
Sarita Bernadette:He did fulfill his earthly assignment. There's always hope. There's always hope. If we lean in, and if we listen to what God is saying to our inner being, we have an opportunity to find the joy. Galatians five twenty two tells us the joy of the Lord is a gift from God.
Sarita Bernadette:It's a fruit of His Spirit. I was well into my adulthood when I figured out that my joy was wrapped up in what the father had planned for me. I memorized Psalm thirty seven and four. You might know it. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Sarita Bernadette:The New Living Translation reads, take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. That scripture doesn't mean God will give you everything you want if you take delight in him. Take delight in him. Make your home in him. Go to Him.
Sarita Bernadette:Get into what the Lord is saying. And and He will reveal to you what's on your heart because He is the one who put it there. It can make things a lot clearer when we do that. And it lessens those doubts that may creep in about whether or not we're going in the right direction. It's easier to take that first step when you know God has your back.
Sarita Bernadette:So where do you find yourself today? Is there something you've put off, you know laid aside because you thought it was too late? This is your sign to go back and examine that thing with fresh eyes. You're not who you used to be. I know that can be a bit unsettling, but know that the Father has you and with Him all things are possible if you believe.
Sarita Bernadette:What joy awaits. In the next three days, I want you to simply take the first step. It could be as simple as opening a new doc on your phone and making a list, you know, just a few bullet points. Or perhaps you make a phone call to connect with someone who is doing what you want to do. Whatever you are led to do, go and do it.
Sarita Bernadette:Go and do it. You've probably heard the quote attributed to Reverend Doctor. Martin Luther King Jr. Sounds like this, Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Or you might have heard the variation which is you don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Sarita Bernadette:I'm telling you today, God has the staircase, the whole staircase. The first step is usually the hardest, but you have what it takes or God wouldn't have given you the desire. You've been listening to Joy in Every Step with Sarita Bernadette and I'm grateful you chose to spend some time here today. You can find Joy in Every Step wherever you listen to your podcasts. Do check out the website at joyineverystep.org.
Sarita Bernadette:Good day.
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