Our family at the Cowboy Christmas Ball in Anson, TX. with our friend Michael Martin Murphey - December 2004.

     If the souljourn of faith were reduced to a dance, no doubt it would be a two-step.  At times, that's about as much of the journey ahead as God gives us.

     Somewhere in the archives of my memory, I recall hearing a preacher or Sunday School teacher share from Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  The speaker portrayed a traveler walking along a road at night.  The lamp in his hand illuminated just a few steps ahead.  In order to see beyond the edge of the darkness before him, the traveler had to keep moving forward.  Each step forward revealed another step  further down the path.  After painting that word picture, my anonymous teacher made his point.  "One step of obedience now reveals the next step and obedience to that step yields yet another to be taken.  This is the true walk of faith."

     While this has always seemed to be true in my own personal pilgrimage, it has never seemed more-so to me than now.  In my 18th month of full-time revivalism, I have paused to reflect how God has kept me going by revealing just a few steps in the journey ahead.  When 2005 began, I had no idea that I would preach to congregations in San Angelo, Crosbyton, Newcastle, DeLeon, and Gainesville.  In mid-summer, I knew not that my autumnal steps would lead to such places as Higgins, Pecos, Menard, Ira, and Pipe Creek;  nor did I suspect such out of state treks to Snowflake, Arizona or Denver, Colorado. 

     And now as 2006 unfolds, with most days of my calendar as white as the sands of Ft. Walton Beach, I am curious - and excited - about the journey ahead.  Each morning I ask our Father, "Are my plans and purposes today Your plans and purposes today?"  Each day I ask Him to continue to open up opportunities of service.  And as one speaking assignment is closed on my calendar, more assignments are given.

     I encourage you to learn to two-step with God.  Learn to let God lead.  Break loose from whatever reigns you in and keeps you from stepping out in faith.  Whenever He asks you to dance, get up from your chair and leave the wall to the flowers who continue to shrink in the shadows.  His Word is a light and a lamp!  His call is all the assurance you need to act.  Do you really mean, "Wherever He leads, I'll go?"  I challenge you to take the step and watch the darkness in your life peal back like the Red Sea.  For this much is certain - in order to two-step with God, you've got to take the first step!