You Take the First Step

by Rick Warren — January 10, 2025
From Preparing for Your Future

“The priests will carry the Ark of the LORD, the Master of the whole world, into the Jordan ahead of you. When they step into the water, it will stop. The river will stop flowing and will stand up in a heap.”

Joshua 3:13 (NCV)

For God to make you successful in your destiny—being who he wants you to be, doing what he wants you to do, and possessing what he wants you to have—you must courageously step out in faith.

As Joshua and the Israelites were getting ready to cross the Jordan River and go into the Promised Land, God told them three times to be strong and courageous: “Be strong and courageous. . . . Be strong and very courageous. . . . Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6-7, 9 NLT). 

God repeated himself because Joshua was going to have to overcome fear and discouragement to fulfill his destiny. And you will too. Fear keeps you from starting on the path God has for you. And discouragement keeps you from finishing and possessing the land.

But you can move forward boldly, like Joshua, because:

God is with you. You don’t know what you’re going to go through, but you can know that God will be with you. Joshua 1:5 says, “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you” (NLT).

God keeps his promises. That truth can give you confidence. Joshua 1:6 says, “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them” (NLT).

God has told you to do it. Joshua 1:9 says, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (NLT). 

When Joshua and the Israelites got to the Jordan River, they probably expected God to part the waters like he had for Moses. But this time was different. God had told them, “When they step into the water, it will stop. The river will stop flowing and will stand up in a heap” (Joshua 3:13 NCV).

Here’s the point of the story: The first step is always the scariest. Often, you have to take the first step in faith in order to see God do the miracle.

Let me ask you a very personal question. What’s your Jordan River? In other words, what’s the big barrier you’ve got to cross in order to reach your destiny? 

Has God told you to do something, and you’ve been afraid to do it? God has said, “be strong and courageous.” He’s told you he’s with you, he keeps his promises, and he’s commanded you to do it. Now he’s waiting for you to step out.

Talk It Over

  • What’s keeping you in the desert? What’s keeping you from taking the first step to do what God has told you to do? 
  • What will taking a step of faith require of you?
  • What miracle might God do in your life if you’d only take the first step in faith?

Where will you spend eternity?

God’s great generosity is reflected in his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace, through Jesus, that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).


If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to you.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.