To say our church has been through a lot in the last year would be an understatement. Even to say that it’s been through a lot in the last six months would be. When we try to look at all of the events and feelings that we have over a long period of time it can feel overwhelming. At times I think to myself, “would I have still done _______ if I had known all of the things that would have happened?” Our walks with God are similar.

I think it’s a great mercy that we don’t know all of the journey from the beginning, for we would be often too overwhelmed to take even the first step as we look at a life full of great joys and terrible tragedies all at once. Learning to take the first step, and then the next step, and then the next step is how we must walk through life, not trying to get ahead of ourselves lest we stumble and fall like a toddler who tries to run because they were able to manage a couple unsteady steps.

Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt: 6:34) I love that verse and the personification of “tomorrow,” for it creates an imaginative way of looking at time.

After a couple of days at the Oaks Retreat, I am imagining what life must be like for these students as they are taking another step forward into a new part of their life. It is exciting, perhaps a little unnerving, for some maybe it’s anxiety provoking. Would they take the next step if they knew all that the next four (or more/or less) years would entail in an instant? I’m excited for these students as they journey a little closer into adulthood while keeping their eyes on Christ.

At the same time we as a church are also moving forward one step at a time. Who knows what the path holds twenty or thirty steps ahead? Even good things can be overwhelming at times (ask anybody who has planned a wedding!). Let us joyfully and patiently move forward, taking in the current moment, and addressing whatever needs we have at this stage of the journey.