Last week, I set out to conquer something that has always made me uneasy: the stairmaster at the gym. Just looking at it makes me feel like I’m high in the sky, like the Jetsons, and the idea of moving stairs has never been my thing. As a kid, I once fell on an escalator, and ever since, I haven’t been too fond of moving steps. If there is a choice between regular stairs and an escalator, I will almost always pick the stairs, even if it means breaking a sweat. For years, I have passed by the stairmaster at the gym, but this time I finally gathered my courage and decided to take that first step.

Have you ever asked God for direction and asked Him to show you the next step to take? Or maybe you know the next step but feel uncertain about it. You were feeling confident and ready to go as you headed out the door, only to change your mind or second-guess once you got closer to taking the next step. Whatever it looks like for you, I hope you’ll have the courage to take that step. 

David reminds us that God guides the steps of those who trust in God. 

“The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip” (Psalm 37:31 ESV).

Deciding to be brave, I got on the stair master and, with my worship music playing in my earbuds, reminded myself that my Creator, the Master of my steps, is with me – yes, even on this stairmaster. 

I started slowly, eyes glued to each moving step, knowing that even one look away could trip me up. Meanwhile, the woman beside me hopped on and powered through at a pace much faster than mine. I reminded myself that I wasn’t there to master the steps on day one like her. Rather, I just wanted to be brave enough to try it. And I did.

My heart rate was up, focused on not falling so I wouldn’t have a repeat moment of my escalator experience as a kid. I tripped a couple of times, but to my relief, I didn’t fall.

Day two was a slow climb for me, too. This time, I had a teenager next to me who breezed along, scrolling through her phone and grabbing her water bottle without missing a thing. I was impressed and thought maybe I’ll get to that level someday, but not today.

My pace was slower, and I had to pause to grab my water, but I was encouraged that I was sticking with it, step by step.

Here are a few insights the stairmaster taught me.

First, all it takes is one step of faith to reassure yourself that you can do it. Whatever God has placed in your heart to do, with Him, you can do it. Even if you only take one step, you tried.

If you’re entering into a new season that may feel uncertain, remember that you don’t have to get to the other side in one day. Take one step and enjoy the process. Enjoy the memories you will make in the moments in between.

Second, God didn’t create you for comparison. He created you uniquely. If I had put all my attention on wishing I were fast like the lady next to me or multitasked like the teenage girl, I might not have kept up with the stairmaster.

Celebrate the unique qualities that make you who you are. Don’t compare or wish you were like someone else. God needs you to be you. And others in your life need you to be you.

We see comparison early on in the Bible.

Scripture for Reflection
Take a moment to read Genesis 29. Reflect on how your story might unfold if you traded comparison for confidence in your unique design.

Comparing yourself to others dims your confidence to embrace the unique purpose God has designed just for you. Choose to walk boldly in your calling, leaving comparison behind.

As I continued to climb the stairmaster, I immediately thought of Galatians 5:25.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 ESV).

“Step” in this verse means to walk behind the leader, or to follow. Trust God with your every step. Follow Him, and you will walk in a beautiful confidence, rather than in comparison, or jealousy and envy that Paul talks about.

First, take a step. Second, dim the lights on comparison, and third, step into God’s presence. Perhaps we need to step into God’s presence to truly step out in faith. Step into His presence before giving up. Step in before stepping out.

Christ lives with us, and His presence never leaves, yet it is when we consciously welcome the Spirit that we connect to the true power of His presence.

As we step into His presence, we are in step with the Spirit, and we become more like Christ. The more like Christ we are, the more our story reflects Christ. With each step, I want to closely follow Jesus. No matter my pace up the mountain, I want to keep in step with the Spirit.

By the end of the week, I found myself climbing the stairmaster a little faster. Progress has been slow, but steady. I still have to keep my eyes locked on every step, and maybe that’s a gentle reminder to simply keep my gaze on Jesus for every step I take.

Friend, in one step, God is right there with you. In the next step, God is there with you. At every step, God will cheer you on as you trust Him.

Step into God’s presence and you’ll always find goodness. Step out in faith, and you’ll always step into His presence. Keep taking every step with the One you can always trust.