Every journey has a starting point:

• Every relationship began with a conversation.
• Every job had a first day.
• Every change in behavior had first uncomfortable moments trying something new.
• Every building started with an idea.
• Every degree was preceded by a first day of class.
• Every trip to Disney started by pulling out of the driveway.
• Every divorce started with a question.
• Every meal began with a recipe – some of them even written down.
• Every career started with curiosity.
• Every sermon starts with the realization that Sunday is coming, ready or not.

Look in the Bible.  People there have starting points too:

• Noah had to cut the first board to build the ark.
• Abraham made to take the first step to go to the land God showed him – telling Sarah they were moving.
• Moses had to throw down his rod to find out God’s power.
• Joshua had to march around Jericho seven days to find out God would fight the battle.
• Ruth had to sneak up to the threshing floor and lay down beside Boaz to find out if he was interested in marriage.
• David had to take the first step out from the Israeli lines of battle to meet Goliath.
• Solomon made his first decision before he was known as the wisest man who ever lived.
• Peter, James, John, and Andrew had to take their first step away from their boats to follow Jesus.
• Paul had to confess he believed in the Jesus he thought he was a fraud before he could become a great missionary, theologian, and evangelist.

Too many people, I think, only focus on the finish line. They are overwhelmed before they begin, and feel defeated.  They never start the journey of transformation.

Jesus didn’t ask you to take a next leap.  He invites you to follow Him and that starts with a next step toward Him.

So what’s your starting point?  What’s your next step?

• Decide for Jesus.  Decide to follow him.
• Talk to someone about your decision for Jesus.
• Be baptized.
• Spend time getting to know Jesus.
• Learn to do life in community with believers.
• Learn to love people.
• Learn to love enemies
• Make friends who will be there at 3 AM for you.
• Heal your hurts.
• Call a counselor.
• Tell someone the truth about your world.
• Grow character habits.
• Pray for a minute.
• Read one story in the Bible every day.
• Give something.
• Tell someone your story.
• Do an act of kindness.
• Serve in a systematic way.

You have a Starting Point.  You have a Journey.  You have a next step.

Let’s get started.