Steps to Personal Development: Step BACK
Over the next few weeks, Monday Meditations will be looking at “Steps to PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT” and the four steps that we, as Corpath members, can take to ensure we move wisely, intentionally and on purpose as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Requirement: Critical Thought, Self-awareness
We all have had those times in our lives when we have felt as though we were taking “two steps forward and one step back”. We usually use that phrase to comment on our lack of progress with a project or to explain our feelings of frustration when unexpected problems and challenges occur.
Q: When have you had the experience of taking “two steps forward and one step back” in the past? What was happening?
I can think of times when I likely should have stepped back from a situation to help me gain perspective and understanding. In one particulate instance, I was standing on a cliff about 20 feet above the ocean at Crane Beach, Barbados. My reason for being there was because I was going to jump and then swim about 50 metres to shore. Despite the warning signs placed at the site, my adrenaline, and lack of common sense, pushed me to step forward and jump. It was exhilarating! I remember going under the warm Caribbean water and feeling the bubbles all around me. Then the reality of the situation started to take over; I was caught in a riptide that was taking me AWAY from the shore no matter how hard I struggled. After what seemed like an eternity, I gave up and just started floating. I’m here to tell the story, so you can surmise it ended well, but I will leave the rest of the story for another time.
I share that personal experience to propose this concept:
Sometimes we need to STEP BACK and assess what we are about to do BEFORE we step ahead. There were so many things I should have considered before jumping off the cliff. Are my swimming abilities good enough to do this? What about the currents - where are they going? Why did they place a warning sign here, anyway?
I want to propose that sometimes when we STEP BACK, we do so to gain a better perspective of what’s about to happen. We “pause our progress” to assess what we need to do, and maybe amend our actions, for when we resume activity. Using the word BACK as an acrostic, stepping back from something gives us a moment to do the following:
Breathe - take a moment to recharge.
Assess - where you have been and the state you are in.
Consider - the options and what you need to do next.
Kneel - commit your plans to the Lord in prayer.
From a biblical perspective, consider the account of Moses as he “took a pause” before entering the promised land.
Reading in the book of Deuteronomy 1, we can see the acrostic (BACK) at work.
Breathe - The Israelites were camped east of the Jordan river but were ready to go and possess the land God had promised them. They were stopped from going any further. (Deuteronomy 1:1-4) Assess - Moses takes time to review all they had done in the past 40 years. (Deuteronomy 1:6-5:33). In fact, after taking time to reflect on all they had accomplished, he implores them to “…Be careful never to forget what you have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” (Deuteronomy 4:9) Consider - Moses then instructs the Israelites to recommit to a holy lifestyle as they take the land. (Deuteronomy 26:16-19) Kneel - There were many times when Moses allowed himself to submit to God’s authority. In this case, his final conversation with God is the “end of his journey”. God allows Moses to see the promised land but is not allowed to enter. Instead, God brings him to His presence - a “higher” and far superior promised land!(Deuteronomy 34:1-6)
Q: What situation is currently requiring you to take a step BACK?
As with Moses and the Israelites, it’s sometimes good to take a step back as we prepare to take on a new venture, challenge, project, position, or journey. Allow God to prepare you for what’s next!
Prayer:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You for walking with me every day. As I take my steps this week, please show me where I need to step BACK and allow You to prepare me for the moment that I continue to move forward. Give me wisdom to know where You are leading me and the courage to go willingly. Amen.
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
