While it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (Hebrews 3:15)”
The above title is not a reference to Neil Armstrong when he made his famous moon landing proclamation. That statement is one of the most famous quotes denoting the significance of taking “One Small Step”. I have my own version to share that has relevance and meaning for our day. It’s based on an event that took place in the summer of 1998 in India. The following is a brief background.
I was scheduled to take a night train from our home base in Rourkela to Calcutta to do some business. It is a journey that takes about 8 hours. The only problem on this night was that train was running 8 hours late. The only recourse was to find a chair and wait for many hours on the station platform. I was in my 6th hour of waiting when I felt the Lord prompting me to take note of an arriving train (My train was still 2 hours away). The following few thoughts were powerfully spoken into my Spirit.
A Defining Moment of Time
The train arrived on the platform, resulting in a bustling of people getting off to buy some food while others boarded to go to their destinations. It was an amazing 10 minutes of uninterrupted activity. Suddenly, a whistle sounded, alerting everyone that the train would soon depart. Sure enough, in the next minute, the train slowly departed the platform. After the next 30 seconds, the platform was empty with the train disappearing into the distance.
The following verses came to my mind as I contemplated this moment.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)?
There was a “set time” that Esther had when she made her approach to the king. Esther took that step, and in doing so, preserved the life of the Jewish community. Mordecai properly discerned the moment and moved Esther to take the needed action at a defining moment of Israel’s history (Esther 4:16, 5:2).
It is vitally important to discern the times and seasons of the Lord. There was a limited window when the train was on the platform. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop. Nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp (Numbers 14:44).
Remember the commandment the Lord spoke to Israel when they were to go into the land of their inheritance? They disobeyed God and missed their moment of opportunity. The very next day they decided to go into the land. It was too late! The Presence of God was no longer with them (Numbers 14:42).
This strongly resonated with me as I pondered over the train arriving and then soon departing from the platform.
A Few Small Steps
The distance between Rourkela and Calcutta is a distance of 415 kilometres. The Lord had me envision what it would be like if I had to suddenly try to make my way to my destination on foot. Can you imagine trekking that distance through mountainous terrain with two suitcases in hand? While pondering over this impossibility the following verses were quickened.
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience (Hebrews 4:9-11).
After waiting on the platform for nearly 8 hours that REST sure sounded appealing. For me, the requirement was simply to take 3 steps onto the train once it arrived. Once on the train, I can go to my berth and REST throughout the duration of the journey. This analogy has proven a blessing to me on numerous occasions. The Spirit of God can be likened to the train that accomplishes what we cannot do in our own strength.
So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).
The Blessings of Waiting
To be honest, I was not happy in coming to know of the long delay. At the same time, some of the lessons learned have proven to be priceless. This experience from 27 years ago is once again stirring in my Spirit. Is it possible that we are on the cusp of a defining moment in our Christian walk? The train of God’s Presence is approaching the platform. Are we discerning and prepared? Will we be willing to take those Few Small Steps in obedience to the Spirit? Lord, help us to not miss the Day of your Visitation (Luke 19:44).
DAILY MEDITATIONS
Monday: Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Tuesday: Matthew 25:6
“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
Thursday: Psalm 102:13
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.
Friday: 1 Kings 19:8
So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
Saturday: Matthew 14:29
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Sunday: Psalm 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
