How long would the Israelite people have to wander in the dessert if they had just looked immediately before them on the path? So much of their time was spent looking at the obstacles that lay far ahead and at the things that lay behind.
Proverbs 4:25
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Recently, in Mexico, we visited the pyramids at Uxmal. My husband was going to climb them with the children, but his fear of heights made that difficult. I was determined that we kids would have the opportunity make it to the top. I didn’t think that I could do it. First, I’m not in the greatest shape. Second, my fear of heights also made it a terrifying proposition. So, I told the kids that we would go five steps. Then, we would see. So, we went five. “Okay,” I said, “let’s go five more.” So, we went five more. In this fashion we made our way up the pyramid to the top. While the proposition of climbing the entire pyramid was daunting, taking the next few steps seemed doable.
During the weight loss journey, I’ve tried to stay focused on the next pound — not on how far that I’ve been or how far that I have to go. It’s difficult. I sympathize with the Israelite people as they could see the giants ahead and romanticized about what they knew and left behind. Perhaps the journey would have been shorter for them had they had focused on just the next step ahead. Even if they wandered for the same amount of time, the journey would have been far more enjoyable without the grumbling about what they left behind and the terror of what lay ahead.
My closing prayer is a chorus from the song, “One Day at a Time” by Cristy Lane.
One day at a time sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.
Amen and Amen.