One Step at a Time

When Jacob was running from his brother Esau, tired and alone, he laid his head on a rock and had a dream. In that dream, he saw a ladder reaching all the way to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it (Genesis 28:10–12). That vision was God’s way of showing Jacob—and us—that heaven and earth are connected, that there is a path between our struggles here and God’s glory above.

I love the image of the ladder because what matters is not your position on it, but the direction you’re going. Whether you’re just stepping on or have been climbing for years, the most important thing is that you keep moving upward.

The real danger in the spiritual life is not being “too low,” it’s going backwards. Growing indifferent. Coasting. Getting comfortable. Thinking, “I’ve come far enough.” No, my friends. The Christian life is always an ascent. We are pilgrims, not tourists. We’re not called to settle. We’re called to keep climbing.

And here’s the good news: You are not climbing alone. The Holy Spirit is not watching from the top, waiting to see if you make it. He’s on the ladder with you. He’s lifting your foot to the next step. He’s wiping your brow when you're tired. He’s catching you when you slip. God is not judging you for being at the bottom. He’s cheering you on because you’ve taken the first step.

The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord… though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:23-24). You may stumble. You may take a step down here and there. But the grace of God is not for the perfect; it’s for the climbers. For those who fall but get up again. For those who press on, even when it’s hard.

Friends, whether you’re just starting or you've been climbing for years, don’t measure your journey by comparison. Don’t worry about who’s ahead of you or behind you. Ask yourself one question: “Am I moving forward?” Because every upward step, no matter how small, is precious in the eyes of God.

So don’t stop now. Don’t turn around. Keep climbing one step at a time. God is with you every step of the way.