One Step at a Time (一歩ずつ or 一步一步来）

Over the last few months, I have reflected and tried to practise doing things one step at a time. I think for me, understanding and practising this truth is a survival skill I must learn. And I realise this truth goes hand in hand with Jesus command to Christians "to remain in Him" (John 15:4). Why? Because by remaining in Him, we learn to listen, respond and be obedient to Him even when we do not know how our little actions, one step at a time, may lead us to.

To me, if I do not learn to do things one step at a time, I may really end up not accomplishing anything and end up being frustrated when I am faced with difficult tasks. Practical applications for me in doing things one step at a time are as follows:

1. Work
At work, I face many issues and problems that require time to resolve. I need to prioritise important issues and quickly troubleshoot, establish and document feasible processes and to set the procedures for many people to follow. If I do not take things one step at a time, I think I will be very stressed and will not be able to set an example of calmness and sound mind at work.

2. Dealing with sickness/fatigue
Sickness often either make me very unproductive or it spoils my schedule in trying to exercise and build strength to feel better. In moments of sickness, if I do not take things one step at a time, I think I will either go mad or feel very frustrated. In illness, taking things one step at a time means to focus on actions that will make me well. This includes sleeping, eating right and maintaining a calm composure. Forget about unaccomplished tasks and massive number of unread emails at work since to worry about such things and not taking care of my health is a sign that I do not trust God, is willful and is not glorifying to God.

3. Growing in Christ, Overcoming Sins
Everyday, I display a multitude of sins. If I focus on the number of sins I commit each day, I would have found myself most unworthy to follow Christ and may give up in my walk with God. Yet, if I focus on each sin item that Jesus brings to my mind each day, and submit myself to overcome one sin at a time, my walk with God would not have been as frustrating.

Indeed, I think taking things one step at a time is all about trusting God. God has the big picture which I do not. Thus, to me following behind Him one step at a time is to trust that He will lead me in the right path. It means being obedient to His directions each day in my life even when I do not readily see what that obedience leads to. Indeed, I would like to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. I believe God delights in such simple obedience. Thus, even though I have my limitations now and cannot go and accomplish greater things in the kingdom of God, I believe when I obey one step at a time, God is already very pleased with me.