Take Next Step

Steven Furtick post:  The next rep

When I see people who are really great at exercising or training for sports, a lot of times I wonder how they push through. I hate exercising. I do it, but only because I have to. I’m always barely getting reps done. But then I see some people who push themselves to crazy limits. What’s the difference?

I asked someone one time how he did it and he said, “I just focus on the next rep versus thinking how many more I’ve got to do.”

In other words, doing twelve reps of an insane weight can be overwhelming. It can cripple some people from even trying, or make them give up in the middle. But by focusing on having enough strength for the next rep, you can keep going and have the strength to finish.

I think the same principle applies to our faith. Being strong in the Lord is sometimes about just doing the next rep. Focusing on the next decision. Taking the next step. Making the next sacrifice.

That’s how you grow strong in the Lord.

You don’t have to have faith for the biggest decision of your life you’re going to make two years from now. You have to have faith for the smaller decision you’re making today.

You don’t have to have the faith to finish what God has called you to do right now. Or even to take the next ten steps. Just the faith to take the immediate step in front of you.

You don’t have to have faith to sell every possession you have right now. Just the faith to do as you have been commanded and give 10% of what God has given you.

And as you do these things, your faith will be strengthened to the point where you will be able to make the biggest decision of your life. To the point where you will be able to finish. To the point where you will be able to sacrifice everything if called to.

Matthew 6:34 tells us “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

And for this reason each has enough to have faith for.

God doesn’t expect you to be as strong today as you’re going to be years from now. Or even days from now. And you shouldn’t either. Have faith for what God is giving you today. Focus on your next decision. Take your next step. Make your next sacrifice.

Do your next rep.