I read of a conversation between a student and a teacher at an
examination. ‘I can’t do anything with this paper,’ said the student,
‘It’s hopeless.’ ‘Why?’ said the examiner. ‘Because it’s far too
difficult,’ said the student. ‘Then,’ said the examiner, ‘put down what
you know.’

Life can be difficult at times, but even at its most difficult, we
can do what we can. In fact it’s quite surprising just how much you can
do when under pressure. When we can’t see all the way, then at least we
can take the next step.

Some time ago my wife and I undertook a long interstate journey by
car. When we set out the name of our final destination was nowhere to be
seen on signposts. All we could see was the name of the next major
town. But we had to make a start and set out in faith, believing that
we were on the right road to our destination.

We have to go on this journey, or life’s journey, stage by stage
without seeing the name of our destination, or knowing what life has in
store for us. But if we have taken the right road, and we are in the
right company, then sooner or later the destination will appear and we
will know that we are heading in the right direction.

If we can’t see how we are going to complete a task, we can at least
make a start. As I sit before my computer each week to write these
messages I am faced with a blank screen. I know what I want to say but
I have to make a start, and as any writer will tell you the hardest
sentence to write is the first one. Nothing would be achieved if I sat
for ever looking at a blank screen. But that first sentence, that
beginning, is usually all we need to complete the task.

Our walk through life is rather like that. We know what we want to
achieve – the Word of God tells us that. But we have no idea what life
holds for us before we reach that goal. The end achievement may not
even be in sight but the first step in the task is waiting to be done.
So a few minutes ago I typed the words…"I read of a
conversation…" And lo and behold – the Word for the Week. In
your life you know in your heart of hearts what the first step is. Why
not make a start right now?

Have a good week. Pastor Ron.

Optional Bible reading: Nehemiah chapter 2.

This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement
originating from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe email
<> with the words ‘subscribe word (or) word
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