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On the way to school I noticed a man wearing the same running shoes that I have. I will be honest as I was a bit surprised to see a homeless person wearing something that reminded me of myself. It also got me thinking a bit about how the person ended up in such a lonely and desperate situation.

I have a wonderful life with the potential for a great future, but that is it – it is just potential. Looking down at my feet makes me wonder what step I will take next. The step I take could possibly lead me to a similar life. The choices I make will directly impact my family, my friends, and me. If I take a step to the right and it is in the wrong direction then I may not be able to recover and it would be the end of my life as I know it. If I take a step to the left and am successful then I would be able to fulfill my potential on paper, but would I be a true success if I just relied on myself to get my life in order?

“Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

God basically tells us that we should make our lives about Him and His glory. If you take a perceived wrong step, but it is for the Lord, then stop worrying as God is using you for His plan. Even mistakes can be used for God’s plan.

I quite literally saw someone else in my shoes. That could be me if I would choose to take the wrong step and turn away from God. I can always choose to turn to the promise of failure – I can choose drug or alcohol abuse, infidelity, or any other sort of reckless abandon of my life’s blessings and responsibilities. The key component in failure is always choice. We all have free will and can decide where we will take our lives, but God has a plan for us that will lead us in the right direction.

One thing I know for certain is that I need to take a step, and by trusting in God for His guidance I can take a blind step of faith and He will be there right beside me. As for the homeless man that I saw, his story and purpose today may be to show us that we are always a step away from choosing God or choosing this world. I don’t know the man’s story, but I know that his helpless situation is not what God has in store for you or me. God wants us to live fulfilling and fruitful lives for His glory and for His plan. Trust in Him and He will guide you throughout your life’s journey.

You don’t have to put yourself in my shoes or someone else’s shoes to help you realize that this life is full of choices and is short-lived. What I can tell you is that Christ already has put Himself in your shoes. He took all of your wrong decisions and wrong choices and put them on His shoulders. He died on the cross for those choices so He could give you the life that He originally intended. So close your eyes and take a step through Christ. No matter which way your life goes, you can rest assured that Christ is in control. Now go get comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking in this life journey!

In Christ,

Jon

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