Baby Steps
Does anyone remember the 1991 movie, "What About Bob?" Richard Dreyfuss is a psychiatrist, who writes a book, and helps his patient, Bill Murry, through a process called, "Baby Steps." The idea is simple. Focus on one small thing at a time to achieve small goals which will build to achieving larger goals. It seems simple enough right but it's much harder to actually do. Recently I was considering this whole idea in reverse. When we have goals or habits we do not just one day fall away from them 100%. We make small choices little by little that then leave us far from our desired point. Take gaining weight for example. You do not wake up one morning suddenly 50 lbs overweight. Small choices across a broad period of time have left you far from your desired goal. Now let's consider this with regard to spiritual habits. We can be Christian and not hear the voice of God and feel very far away from His presence.
When God began, in Genesis with Adam and Eve He walked and talked with them in a close personal way. After sin entered the world Baby Step by Baby Step this close personal intimacy with God eroded. In Abraham's time, God still appeared and talked to him. By the time we get to Exodus, we see the presence of God becoming a feared distant unknown. He leads the Israelites by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. Gone were the days of walking and talking with God in the cool of the Garden of Eden. As more time went on the personal distance between God and man increased. Note God had not gone anywhere but the relationship was no longer personal. Only designated prophets and judges had the privilege of the presence of God. Finally, God is rejected, a king is demanded, and a substitute is preferred over the real thing. Baby Step by Baby Step the relationship breaks down till is it relegated to impersonal laws and traditions. God's desire for a close personal relationship never changed we stepped further and further away.
“...a substitute is preferred over the real thing.”
If you have been a follower of Christ for any length of time you will recognize that this same process can take place in our lives. Prayer, Bible reading, and daily devotions can become a habit instead of a relationship. You used to jump out of bed, get up early, and spend time with the Lord and now you find it gets brushed off by the duties of life. You want to hear God speak, but the interruptions of children and the distractions of phone notifications constantly bombard you.
Life happens! Baby Step by Baby Step you get pulled from the most important life-giving relationship. The only way you can get back what you desire is by taking Baby Steps. Don't let the guilt of who you used to be stop you from moving forward today. Don't let comparison of what your time with God used to look like hinder you from having it today in the midst of doing life.
Find moments and make them matter!
God's can show up and meet you with his presence anywhere...
....While nursing a little one - whisper to God your heart
....While waiting at sports practice - put down the phone and read His Word
...While cleaning the house - put on worship music and dance like David
...While Commuting to Work, Working out, Taking a walk, Making Dinner
Take Baby Steps back into His presence. Take Baby Steps toward your goals.