What Do We Need to Do in Order to Accomplish Meaningful Change?

Not long ago, I decided to whip myself into shape, so I did the unthinkable. I ran after the ice cream truck. No. I bought a Fitbit. I strapped it on my wrist and discovered that there are 13 steps between our fridge and our couch, so I moved the couch closer. Okay, I’m kidding.

But I did begin taking steps. In time, this contraption told me I had taken 10,000 steps in a single day. It complimented me on a job well done and told me I was smart and good looking. So I walked some more and logged 12,000 steps the next day. This little doodad was so happy it told me to take the evening off and eat some ice cream. The next day I hit 13,000, then 15,000, 18,000, even 20,000 steps. I walked as I worked. I paced around the house. My wife said, “You keep walking in circles like that, I’ll nail your other foot down.” I laughed and kept walking. I walked as I talked. I swung my arms sometimes to fool the doohickey, but my wife said that’s cheating, so I stopped.

My goal is to take at least 10,000 steps a day. This past year, according to my Fitbit, I walked 2,840 miles, or 4,573 kilometres. That’s like walking from L.A. to Miami, then 100 miles into the Atlantic. How? By putting one foot in front of the other, and doing it again. Life is like that.

To accomplish anything of value, we must take one step at a time. Do you want to write a book? Write one sentence. Follow it with another. Do you want to mend a relationship? Send one text. Say one prayer. Take one small step. Then another. Do you want to grow in your relationship with God? Talk to Him. Read one chapter of the Bible and listen to Him speak. Then do it again the next day. You’ll be amazed at how quickly good habits can form one small step at a time.

Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Join me today in committing our steps to God and trusting Him to make our paths straight.
Don’t do what one guy did. He said, “I figured out that if I eat cake fast enough, my Fitbit thinks I’m walking.”

Phil Callaway

Phil Callaway, the host of Laugh Again, is an award-winning author and speaker, known worldwide for his humorous yet perceptive look at life.

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