When we sit at our tables awaiting our meals in the residence in which I live, the servers come to their assigned tables and inquire what we wish to eat. Lately, they have been coming with iPads, showing pictures of the options and allowing individual choices. The choice is entered and the server then moves on to the next table where the procedure is repeated. Sometimes, when my server has barely reached the kitchen, another server has already arrived at my table with my order.

Intrigued, I inquired how this could happen. A supervisor explained that when my order is entered into the iPad, it appears on a screen in the kitchen for preparation. If my server is still occupied at the time my meal is ready, another server who is not busy automatically picks up the meal and delivers it to the correct table.

It can be considered a little step of progress, but it has a positive impact on the recipients, who are pleased to be served so quickly.

In a different type of progress, four of my great-grandsons turned one in 2020. I have enjoyed pictures of them taking their first little steps and developing into regular walkers.

While taking little steps is inevitable for them, it is important that the steps taken are moving in the right direction.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

It is my prayer that my grandchildren, and indeed all parents that have responsibility to raise young children, follow this instruction.

Most of us make big advances by taking little steps throughout life. I am intrigued by the fact that God has designed humanity to function together taking little steps.

“For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” (Isaiah 28:10 ESV)

Generally, to do His will it is only necessary to take small steps. We don’t have to be a John Knox or a Billy Graham to make a difference in our own spiritual life or in the lives of those around us — a little time spent in prayer, a little time spent reading God’s Word.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 ESV)

I know that I can’t do great things. But I am challenged to take little steps to make a difference by growing closer to God and by helping others to do so, too.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to follow the great commandments given to us by Jesus. Show us opportunities by which we can take little steps to be kind to others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Vincent Walter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada