Stair Climbing

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 137 -

There's something very assuring about

knowing your steps are established.

What is it about stairs?  They take you from one level to the next.  If I want to go from down here to up there, I've got to climb the stairs!  That's exactly what God told me we're going to be doing in the upcoming days.  

"We'll take one step at a time!"  

He said. 

"I'll help lift you onto the step 
if you need me to 

and I'll make sure you're footing 
is established 

--steady and balanced-- 

Then we'll go to the next one.

Now take my hand."

That's all He said.  He didn't give any further explanation.  He didn't tell me how many steps there'd be, or how long we'd be doing this for.  All I know is that I felt Him take my hand in His and off we went together.  There's nothing like holding Daddy's hand.  It makes me feel  safe and secure. -- No worries! --  I can feel His love for me.

Before the day was done, we stepped up and onto the first stair.  Surprisingly we talked about submission.

Submission is about yielding to a superior force, 

or to the will and authority of another person.

That said, the LORD reminded me of my spiritual mother, Bonnie, and the covering she provides me.  I'm not out here winging it myself in RED shoes -- a lone ranger with no accountability.  No!  Bonnie provides love and correction, opportunity to serve, teaching, guidance and support -- and so much more.

You can't be a good leader if you're not a good follower.  

If you won't submit yourself to authority in the natural realm, 

you'll be shaky at best, in the spiritual realm.  

You'll alway be trying to take the reigns from God --

vying for control!

There are many opportunities to practice submission:

• You can submit to your parents' authority.
• You can submit to your pastor and the leadership of your church.
• You can submit to teachers and mentors.
• You can submit to your husband.
• You can submit to your employer.
• The list is endless.

It's the FIRST STEP  and it's IMPORTANT!

Sometimes people don't want to submit to the authority that God has put them under.  When the usher at church asks them to sit in a particular area, they buck the system and do whatever they want.  When the pastor asks for a helping hand, they choose not to participate.  Even at work, they backbite and gossip about the boss.  All those are tests in the natural realm that God uses to filter out who He is able to trust with the anointing.  If you're wondering why you've never gotten to Step 2, it's most likely because you haven't mastered Step 1:  Submission to Authority.

All I know is that God said...  

"Learn everything you can from Bonnie.  

Listen to what she says, and do whatever she asks!  

Support her any way you can!"

With that, I looked down at my RED shoes and noticed my feet were planted firmly in place.  I've been  fortunate enough to have learned this lesson decades ago and have lots of practice time in.

Tomorrow, Bonnie and I are ministering together at a local Christian high school.  She'll be painting and I'll be sharing a word.  It will be another day, and another step...

In RED shoes,

Gail

Let me pray for those of you who want to master this step.  I know it's not an easy one for many.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come to You, understanding how important it is to be submissive to those you have put in authority over us.  LORD... help us to LET GO of our own agenda and EMBRACE the opportunities for growth that You've put before us.  We TRUST that You have a plan in place and that You are training us for a bigger role.  With that, we SUBMIT ourselves to those in leadership.  Help us to give our very best to them.  Help us to glean all we can from those relationships.  Help us to support our mentors in any way we can - consistently and continually!  In JESUS Name!  Amen