Impact - Day 12

Day 12 – Micromovements

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

As you read or listen to this today, there is a likelihood you have no idea where God intends to take you over a handful of next steps. I wouldn’t have imagined my current role at Crosswalk a few short years ago. I couldn’t see around a handful of corners and wouldn’t have named where I am today.

It's natural to feel unsettled by the uncertainty of life's journey. I've been there too. We often wish we could see the end before we begin, but there's a mercy in not knowing. It prevents us from being overwhelmed by the distance and encourages us to take the first step.

During the first half of my career, I regularly attended a national youth workers’ convention called Youth Specialties. There were motivating general sessions, excellent opportunities for networking, and many seminars to attend. One year, I participated in a seminar called Micromovements by Craig McNair Wilson on achieving creative goals.

As we began, Wilson invited us to envision an achievement we would love to accomplish but hadn’t attempted in any way. I scribbled, “Learn to play guitar,” on my notepad (I’m an excellent seminar-goer). Then, he asked us to think of the smallest possible step toward accomplishing that goal. If it crosses your mind that buying a guitar or taking lessons could be that step, you and I have entirely different financial realities. Those are not small steps. I wrote, “The next time I pass a store that seems to have guitars in it, and I have spare time, I will go inside (did I mention how great I am at participating in seminars?).” The training was excellent. However, once I was home, my pad of notes was placed on a stack of similar items and forgotten. 

One day, a few weeks later, I was driving back to the office after lunch. It hadn’t taken me long to grab a bite, and I was dragging my feet to get back to work. Passing a sign for Fred’s Music Store, my notes hit me. With a sudden course adjustment, I swerved into the parking lot and walked inside. Looking over the walls lined with hanging guitars, I felt overwhelmed and alien. The prices were intimidating and out of reach. Then, I rounded a corner and discovered several guitars marked with two-digit price tags. One read, “$10.” “What are these?” I asked. “Oh, those are monthly rentals,” the attendant responded.

As I stepped through the door to our home, my wife's eyes widened in surprise. I was carrying a guitar and some chord books. My journey to learn guitar had begun. It was a simple step, but it had set a transformation in motion. This is the beauty of micromovements- they are not just effective. They are transformative.

“… everywhere you set your foot.” One footstep at a time.

1. Looking back on your life, what have you accomplished that surprises you? Think through the steps required for this to happen.
2. What is something you would love to accomplish? What is the smallest possible step you can think of?
3. What decision or journey is God talking to you about right now?