Taking the Next Step of Faith

When I studied the personalities, it was very clear to me that I married an off the chart sanguine personality. John is out going, spontaneous, and enjoys life in the present. I’ve heard that opposites attract, and so it is with us. I am much more analytical and find myself reflecting on the past and planning for the future. These are not bad things if a person can also enjoy and live in the present.
Not only am I married to a sanguine personality but our daughter is also a sanguine. I have often said that John and Christina are the balloons with the helium and I am the string. They lift me out of my deep, analytical thoughts and I keep them balanced so they don’t get too carried away with the moment. We bring balance to one another. How amazing how the Lord uses each of our personalities to perfect and bring balance to one other.
It is important that we don’t run ahead of the Lord but it is equally important that we don’t’ delay when he calls us to take the next step.
It is very challenging for me to live in the present. I have often referred to myself as “an imperfect perfectionist”. This has caused me to procrastinate and delay changes that I know are important because I find myself building the perfect scenario rather than just taking the next step. I over analyze the situation.
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones stood at the edge of the large gulf in the cave. In order to progress and reach the other side he had to take a “step of faith”. When he took the first step, the foundation appeared beneath his feet. He had the bridge he needed to walk to the other side.
When the apostle Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he wanted to step out of the boat and walk to Jesus on the water. When Jesus told him to come, Peter believed the Lord and stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water.  Unfortunately, just like so many of us, Peter panicked and took his eyes off the Lord. He looked at the circumstances around him and he began to sink.
As we spend time in the Lord’s presence He will bring balance to our lives.  He doesn’t want us to rush ahead of Him with the impulse of the moment or over analyze the situation. He doesn’t want us to lean on our own understanding. He has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. When we spend time in His presence and in His Word we will hear Him as He directs us in His perfect plan and time.

Ginger