Tag Archives: Overcome

Message In A Minute: Steps of Faith

I have a nephew who has reached a cuteness level which would allow him to get away with anything.

Fortunately for his parents, he has yet to understand the depth of his super power.

Early on there was concern because he was not able to stand or walk at the appropriate age. The doctors ruled out anything serious but the family was rightfully concerned.

His parents tried different motivating ideas, contraptions to assist him, and anything they could think of to help him. Most of all, they prayed, many people were praying for him. Whole churches were praying.

There are a few videos of his first steps that are burned into the minds of those who love him. We all celebrated when he started walking, then running, climbing, dancing and all the things you would expect a toddler to do.

Before the first few unassisted steps happened. My family was visiting his family and in the living room, there was an apparatus that looked similar to the parallel bars you would see in a gymnastics competition. Except it was miniaturized.

My nephew was standing on one end grasping the support rails. His mother supported him until he started his movement. His father was at the other end encouraging him on. My nephew began to take small steps with a smile on his face, keeping his focus on his father.

This “Message In A Minute” conclusion almost writes itself doesn’t it?

The religious world uses the words “spiritual walk” to describe the growth and life of a believer. The church is often referred to as the “bride of Christ,” a symbolic mother for us. And God is our Heavenly Father.

We stumble, we fall, we hear encouragement, we struggle, we take one step at a time. But keeping our Father as the focal point is the surest way to get where we want to go.

How is your walk going?
Are you tempted to give up?
Do you feel like you’re not making progress?

Keep your eyes on your Father, He is the reason we take the steps, and He won’t let you walk alone.

-Tom Wise

Message in A Minute: Within Reach

I love the Andy Griffith show, so forgive me for this example.

Otis, the town drunk would come in the courthouse on the weekend and lock himself up for public intoxication. He would sleep off his hangover, and he would let himself out of the prison cell the next day. It all worked very smooth,

Otis was safe from hurting himself or someone else. The sheriff didn’t have to go out of his way to pursue the guilty man. And Barney got to have someone in a cell, which he seemed to like. All three were grateful in their own way.

Here comes the difficult idea.

We are a lot like Otis.

A good number of our problems are self-inflicted. Not all of our troubles, but many are brought on by behaviors or circumstances that we have some control over. I understand that some issues are beyond our control, some problems are caused by others, and difficult things just happen in life.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to bring guilt on all of us. I simply want to encourage you to look for a key.

The answers and solutions to most of our problems are within reach. Many of the situations we find ourselves in are like the Mayberry Courthouse. There is a key hanging on the wall, so close we can reach it.

We can let ourselves out.

God can and will do miracles in certain situations, but in other circumstances, he provides a key on the wall. He makes sure that the answer is within reach.

Maybe the key on the wall is a decision you need to make, a substance you need to avoid, or a conversation you need to have.

God can guide you, family can support you, friends can cheer you on. But only you can reach for the key, unlock the door, and walk out of the problem.

Be honest, be humble, and be grateful that sometimes the answer is hanging on the wall right beside you.

-Tom Wise