There are two things that I hate to be: stuck and lost. When there is somewhere you need to go, being stuck is miserable. Waiting. Stuck. No means to get you where you want to go. I remember when I could not drive and needed to go somewhere that was too far to walk. Miserable. I imagine you feel it even as you read. I doubt I am the only person who hates to be stuck.
Lost may be more miserable. At least when you are stuck, you know where and how you need to get somewhere – even if you cannot. But lost. When you are lost, you may have the means, but you have no idea where you are going.
What about when you add the two together. Stuck and lost. This is when you have a sense of total helplessness. You know where ultimately you want to go, but both do not have the means or know the way to get there.
Spiritually it can be that way as well. We know ultimately we want to become like Christ. However, we may seemingly both feel stuck and lost. We are not sure how to get there – the means or the path.
Progress Even When You Feel Stuck and Lost.
James gives us some help in these situations. He writes:
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 3:17)
Here James challenges us to not miss what is right in front of us. Our question when stuck and lost becomes, “What is good?”
Take the Next Step
When you are not sure how to get going (stuck) or even what path (lost), at least do what you know is good. Doing the next good thing does three things for you: 1) It keeps you from sin, 2) Keeps you moving, and 3) Gets you closer to your goal. As long as the next step is doing good (as a righteous person), you are making progress, even though it may seem slow.
Let us make it our aim to go out today and take the next good step.
