Steps take one in a direction. Sometimes the direction is of one’s choosing. On other occasions, it seems to be random or the result of another’s choice. One might think that a stairwell dictates the path and the outcome. As I caught myself pausing at the staircase, I realised that the stairs would take me to a place of my choosing, not the other way around.
One chooses her/his destiny. The stairs may help get me to where I want to go, but they do not dictate my choice. It is easy to blame the trail, maps, and road signs. I often catch myself blaming things that do not talk back. In acknowledging my role in choosing the path I find myself on, I open myself up to opportunities to learn and grow. As one understands one’s step, one continues to open a door to reach one’s dreams.
If one wants to help, a model of helping others is found in being a stair in their journey. The stairs offer no opinion. The stairs are not going to express an opinion of right or wrong, good or bad. Stairs have found themselves as an example of old words ringing true today. “If you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching.” (Romans 12.7). The question I find myself wrestling with is intent. I aspire to help others as well as myself. Understanding the truth of my actions sets the stage for another reminder.
Giving our gift of freedom is as important to oneself as it is to the person receiving the gift. It is easy to fall in love with opinions and views that echo one’s own. Alternatively, in realising one’s desire to affirm one’s choices through one’s opinions of another path, one gifts oneself with the freedom to be wrong. It is easy to love one’s freedom even as one acts as if it does not matter to anyone else.
Today can be the first step of many. It reveals one’s heart. Now is the time to make it count!
