ONE STEP AT A TIME
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put His hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Mark 8:22-25 (NIV)
In the Bible, there seem to be two ways of transformation. One is breakthrough, where God shows up instantly in a moment and transforms us. We see this with Paul and the Damascus Road. Then, in Mark, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy that the disciples couldn’t, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, and then Jesus instantly breaks bread and feeds 5,000 people. There seem to be several stories in the Bible where God works instantly, where breakthrough appears to happen in a moment. Then there are stories like the one above, and I believe this shows that some transformation is a process. Look at Peter; he seems to have bad instincts and denies Jesus, but over time, God grows him into a mighty man of faith. This verse, I believe, can be a great encouragement to many because it shows that God sometimes works in a process. Sometimes, the transformation is slower and doesn’t happen in a moment.
Now, to be clear, God is all-powerful; there is nothing wrong with His power in the verse above. The issue isn’t with God. It’s with us. Sometimes, we need several touches of Jesus before our spiritual eyes are truly opened. Some people have salvation stories, like Paul and the Damascus Road, where you can share the moment God transformed you. Others have a series of moments where God slowly but surely began transforming them. Don’t focus so much on the starting point; what matters most is what the Spirit has done in you now. Have you been changed, or are you changing? This is the sign of real faith. Also, in certain struggles and addictions, there are times when God creates an instant breakthrough, but in my journey to purity, it was a process. Whatever your struggle may be, ask if you are making progress in the area and celebrate it. Pray for instant breakthrough, but trust that sometimes God will transform us through a process over a period of time. Keep seeking after Him, but don’t let discouragement keep you from taking the next step. Take it one day at a time and one step at a time.
APPLICATION: Take a step each day and allow God to transform you.
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to guide and empower you. Ask Him if you have made progress in this area. Ask for breakthrough, but ask to trust Him each day.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?