Watch Your Step!

Watching where we walk… it’s important!
My tendency is to focus just a few steps in front of me.  I guess this comes from years of severe knee problems and having to be so careful not to trip.  When you have feet the size of boat paddles and knee issues, tripping over tiny things is a real possibility!
Recently I was just walking down the road, listening to praise and worship music, singing along, focusing on a couple of steps ahead… what’s that?  I almost stepped on it without realizing it was there…  It was a SNAKE lying in the road.  I quickly assessed the species of the critter and realized it was a harmless yellow neck snake, and was only about 5 inches long.  I took out my cell phone and snapped a picture, getting just as close as I could to make the tiny snake fill the screen.  (I would show you the picture, but since I have a “dumb” phone and not a “smart” phone I can’t get it off my cell phone. )   DH was off fishing with a friend at the time, so I zoomed a picture off to him with a text that said, “Please come save me from this 5 in. snake!”  His text back was, “5 in. or 5 feet?”  Because I had zoomed in so close to the snake it appeared to him to be HUGE! 
You knew a spiritual/WLJ analogy was coming, so here it is…
What was tiny to me, was huge to him because he had a different perspective.  He could not see the “big picture”, if you will.  How many times does my WLJ (weight loss journey) need a new perspective? 
Sometimes I focus in too close, and the food temptation seems HUGE to me.  When unwise food choices are speaking loudly to me, I need to change my focus.  I need to back out and look at the big picture.  Where do I want to be at weigh-in on Monday?  Where do I want to be this month?  It is not just about a number on the scale, but a life of obedience to the Call God has placed before me. 
Job 23:12 (KJV) 
    Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how far I still have to go to reach my goal.  Sometimes in the “big picture” we only notice how far or how high we have yet to go.  We don’t focus on what we have gained (and will gain) by taking the journey.  I need to change my focus.  I choose to NOT look at the ultimate weight goal, but have chosen smaller goals.  I’ve started with my 10% weight loss goal, and I am almost there!  Once that is reached I will set another intermediate goal about 20 lbs further down, with a plan to reach it in about 3 months.
Spiritually, we need to keep focused, both near and far.  PS. 119:105 reminds us:
Psalm 119:105 (KJV) 
    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
A lamp sheds just enough light to see right in front of us, just a step or two.  It is important that we focus on the steps we need to take today to work toward our spiritual (and WLJ) goals.  A light illuminates for a longer distance so we can see exactly where we are going.   We also must take time to let the Lord show us exactly where we are heading on this journey. It is so important that we have both perspectives. Of course our ultimate destination is heaven, but the journey on this earth has many paths with twists, turns, and obstacles.  Only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit can we choose wisely when decisions have to be made.  Some decisions are “today” decisions and only affect the present.  Others are “pathway” decisions and will affect our future and the future of those around us.
So, my advice to us all, WATCH YOUR STEP! 
Be aware of what is right in front of you, and also what is just down the path.  God’s Word provides light for both.
Have a wonderfully blessed week!
KAT