Let me introduce you to a future Figure Skating Gold Medalist, Brooklyn Smith. This precious, adorable, and sweet three year old little girl braved the ice for the first time on Saturday. She was a little scared and a little nervous at first, but quickly found the courage to jump on the ice. Thus beginning her career toward gold medal stardom.
You might ask how do I know that this charming and lovely face will hoist the gold someday? I don’t know, but I do know that she has participated in the most important part of the process. She has taken her first step on the ice. Without this first step, nothing else is possible. She will never be an Olympian without this first step.
The first step is so important. What if Moses had never taken the first step out of the land of Egypt? What if the apostle Paul had never taken the first step toward Ananias’ house? What if Peter and Andrew had never stood up, dropped their nets, and took their first steps following Jesus? What if Jesus had never taken the first steps into the wilderness to be tempted? The first step is so important.
Today, I urge you to loosen those chains of sin that bind you and take the most important step, the first step. Today, I urge you to take the first step away from the sin that you are hiding. Today, I urge you to take the first step away from the relationships that are dragging you down into the mud. Today, I urge you to take the first step away from the places where darkness resides.
GO FOR THE GOLD! Not the gold medal that hangs around your neck. Something much better – the gold I am talking about lies in the streets leading to my Mansion on the hilltop.
Go ahead! Take that first step!