Will Today Be Your Day One?

When will you make TODAY the first day of the rest of your life? What are your dreams? To start something new? To leave behind the hurt and grieving? To set aside your fears and step forward in courage? To step boldly into a next chapter of your life?

When will I stop dreaming and start acting? That’s the question before me – and you – each day. Taking time to reconnect with our dreams and let them take shape is important, but so is stepping toward them. What step, even a tiny one, will you take toward your dream?

Jeff Goins says in his recent book, “The Art of Work”:

“What you must do is keep moving. Don’t stand still. Don’t squander your time, holding out for someone else to give you permission to start. It won’t happen that way. No one is going to give you a map. You will have to step out into the unknown, listening for direction as you go.”

Reaching our dreams isn’t about taking giant leaps, but rather taking small steps in the general direction of that dream. We may not know how we’ll get there or where exactly to go, but taking those small steps will propel us forward. As we step, we need to listen to God’s direction and let Him guide each next step.

In describing a couple who took a giant leap of faith to move their family to Burundi to start a coffee company helping local farmers, Jeff Goins describes their journey like this:

“They didn’t take a leap; they built a bridge. And the beauty of a bridge is you don’t have to see too far ahead in order to get to the other side. You just have to take the next step.”

One of my favorite songs right now is “Day One” by Matthew West. When I listen to the song, I imagine myself standing on the threshold of a doorway, looking out into a world of possibilities, yet knowing the comfort and safety of the known is inside. Do I want to step out into the unknown and risk potential failure, certain change, and possible success? Or, stay inside where I know what to expect, even if it’s not the stuff of my dreams?

Well, I wish I had a short term memory
Wish the only thing my eyes could see
Was the future burning bright right in front of me
But I can’t stop looking back

Yeah, I wish I was a perfect picture of
Somebody who’s never not good enough
I try to measure up but I mess it up
And I wish I wasn’t like that

I wish I wasn’t wishing anymore
Wish I could remember that nobody’s keeping score
I’m tired of throwing pennies in a well
I gotta do something
Here goes nothin’

It’s day one of the rest of my life
It’s day one of the best of my life
I’m marching on to the beat of a brand new drum
Yeah, here I come
The future has begun
Day one

(“Day One”, written by Matthew West and Pete Kipley)

What step can you take in the general direction of your dream? Will today be your “day one”?

• The day you decide to lay down the burdens weighing you down, so you can step forward with hope.
• The day you decide to smile again after a season of sadness and grief.
• The day you decide to make that phone call to reconnect with an old friend and begin to heal old hurts.
• The day you decide to start new habits to get healthy.
• The day you decide to give that career you’re dreaming about a test drive by taking a class, signing up for a volunteer job, or trying a freelance assignment.
• The day you take one baby step toward the next chapter of your life you’ve dreamed about.

Let’s step boldly together into the dreams God has for us. We may falter or fail, but let’s trust that even in the missteps God will guide us toward His better future for our lives.

“If your life’s work is only a dream, something fleeting and frail that’s never back by action, it can only last so long.” – Jeff Goins, “The Art of Work”

We’re standing together on the the threshold looking out into a new day. Will you step back into the comfort of your known – or will you step forward into a new day and take a step (even a small one) toward your dream?

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)