One Step Enough for Me…

“Most of us,” said an eminent observer, “are living under a strain that human nature never was intended to bear.” All people have problems, and some days the difficulties and discouragements seem almost unsurmountable. And being much preoccupied with our own problems, we are surprised sometimes to realize the problems and heartaches of others, and the burdens they have to bear. There is sorrow and disappointment in many hearts and homes. The fondest plans and hopes of many have had to be abandoned or long delayed. Most of us have had to reconcile ourselves to something less that we once wished for. We have had to readjust, to gather the threads together and save as much of the pattern as we can, and still carry on. The old the young, those in-between, all at times have their problems and perplexities. But our opportunity, our obligation, after all, is to do what we have to do a day at a time and not try to carry the whole future before us. We cannot afford to be afraid of everything that ever could or might happen. This suggests a line from “Lead, Kindly light”: “I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me.”

We cannot see a hundred years of hundred days or even a hundred hours ahead, or even tomorrow morning. We must have patience and faith to take the first step, and trust for the next step to show itself, and trust that the light will lead us to meet each obligation and opportunity. The best preparation for the future said George MacDonald “is the present well seen to, and the last duty done,” Move forward with faith. Be not afraid.