PLAYBOOK DEVOTIONAL
Athlete, Take the Next Step
Jonathan Van Horn
Genesis 50:19-21 (ESV)
But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
I spent a summer in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was an amazing summer filled with new friends, experiences and great memories.
One of those memories was climbing up Longs Peak. We left early in the morning and started our hike when it was still dark.
As the day broke and sun began to come over the mountains surrounding us, I had a great view of where we had come from. It seemed like such a long way off, the distance was much farther than I had imagined.
We had hiked through the forest, crossed rivers and creeks, jumped through a boulder field and climbed rocks. That image when I looked back will forever stick in my mind.
Your spiritual journey is much the same. Often when we are walking, journeying and sometimes crawling, life is difficult, and it is hard to see whether or not we are making any progress. But it is in those moments when we reach a hilltop or peak and look back that we truly recognize the gravity of the journey we have taken.
Martin Luther King Jr. challenged people to keep moving forward with, “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means, keep moving.”
In the story of Joseph we see a man who went through many difficult moments and steps along the way (check out Genesis 37-50 for his full story).
Toward the end of his life, he was the second in command in Egypt. His brothers were fearful of him and what he would do to them after their father passed away, since they sold him into slavery many years before.
Joseph recognized that with each difficulty there was a step to take, that God was working and wasn’t absent, and God could find good in evil actions.
Joseph responding to his brothers, saying, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones” (Genesis 50:19-21).
When we look back at our lives, we can see the road traveled. Today’s step is the opportunity to press on, move forward and continue your journey.
“The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step” (Laozi).
Reflect: Athlete, what is the one step you will take today that will glorify, honor and worship God in your sport or actions or relationships?
