ONE SMALL STEP FOR GOD. ONE GIANT LEAP FOR YOU.

I’ve always loved outer space. I remember when I was a kid and my dad talked to me about the stars and pointed out different constellations. I had those glow in the dark stars all over my ceiling that would fall off in the middle of the night and land on my face. I even had a little planetarium projector in my room for a while. I think it’s fun to watch sci-fi movies and imagine what it might be like exploring the solar system. I seriously love outer space.

But, I remember when I was 8 years old, and my parents took us on a trip to Disney World. I was so excited to go, and my little nerdy self, some things never change, but I bought a book all about Disney World, and I started doing research. What rides would be fun? What rides would be too dark and scary? What kind of snacks should I get? What should I wear, and the only correct answer was my skort and bedazzled tank top of course. We had the BEST time, but then, my parents wanted to take me to ride Space Mountain. My book said that it was dark and fast and very scary. I didn’t know what to do, and I just want to paint a picture for you of what the inside of this ride looks like.

We got in line, and it looked like we had stepped into a GIANT space station. With long iron hallways and windows lining all the walls, when you looked into the windows you saw all kinds of galaxies and clusters of stars and even a few comets! I was so scared of all of it. I loved to dream about outer space, but I wasn’t sure Ithat actually wanted to go there. My knees began to shake. My breathing got faster. I just knew that I wasn’t ready to experience antigravity! What if there was a leak in the space station, and we all combusted? What if aliens came to attack? I had convinced myself that we were in outer space, and it was just too dangerous for me. My knees buckled, and I told my parents that I couldn’t go any further. I started crying. I was terrified! My poor parents tried to convince me that none of it was real and that if I just kept going, I would have a great time, but I was unconvinced, and so we all took the long walk back to the outside world.

Sometimes our lives can be like that. We can want to do something so bad. Maybe God has placed a dream in your heart of doing something or being a part of something, but when it gets time to actually start taking steps into that thing, that new season, it can get so overwhelming that we feel like we can’t move forward, like maybe we’ll never accomplish our goal or live up to our God-give calling.

That’s why I want to share with you how you can actually step into your next season with confidence. And the very first thing I want you to know is that you can have confidence because, if you’ve put your trust in God, I can promise you that God is with you! God has a good plan for you, the question really is, will you trust Him enough to walk in it?

And, the other good news is this: God has some tools for you to use as you step into this season. He wants to help you gear up with the right fit for what’s ahead.

Did you know that when astronauts are wearing their space suit, they have 11 layers of clothing on? Some of these layers are used to build up pressure on their organs so they don’t explode! They are also used to keep them warm in harsh space temperatures. Their suits are also specifically created to help facilitate motion in low gravity settings and keep body fluids from turning into gas inside the astronaut. They are incredibly complicated suits and have to be tested and retested before an astronaut can wear them in order to have successful missions.

Just like that, God has a mission for you and a special set of clothes that he wants you to wear so your mission can be a success!

Ephesians 6:10-17 says:

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

You need all of God's armor so you can stand. If I really had been an 8 year old heading to outer space, and it wasn’t just in my imagination, I would have been right to be afraid! I didn’t have the proper equipment. I wasn’t suited up! They don’t even make space suits for 8 year olds. Just like that, we need God’s armor to make it through life.

Why do you need armor? Because of your opponent: the devil. He just wants to keep you from God’s best for your life.

One of my favorite space alien tropes is the shape shifting one. You never know who might be one in the movies.

 Sometimes, the Devil is like that. Sometimes he’ll look like you and sometimes he’ll be from a completely different planet. You have to be aware. He wants to make you less than God created you to be!

Have you ever heard those little thoughts in the back of your head: “I can cut this corner at work or school. I can get involved with this girl or guy. It’s just casual. It’s no big deal.” His lies can sound a lot like your own voice in your head. How do you know if it’s the lies of the devil? Because what you will also hear are things like: “I’m not good enough. I’m not smart enough. I’m not ready. I’m not capable. Everybody’s out to get me. Nobody likes me.” Those are all the voice of the enemy in your life. He’s tricky. And, he comes at you hard with everything he’s got.

You are in a struggle for your mind and for your purpose! Following Jesus isn’t for people who just want to stay comfortable. He calls you to suit up for the struggle and get on with your mission. We want comfort; God wants more than that for you. He wants you to suit up!

Here is your suit just like it’s laid out in Ephesians 6:

1.   Buckle Up the Belt of Truth

When we say “Buckle Up!” That means get ready, something’s about to happen. It means we’re about to do something. Ephesians 4:15 says:

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

We put this piece on by telling the truth. Telling the whole truth. To our boyfriend or girlfriend. To our friends. Not sugar coating it or spinning it or telling half-truths. Not little white lies. But Truth. Now, there’s a difference for those of you who like to say that you just tell it like it is. What we want to do is speak the truth in love, so before you speak, ask yourself some questions: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? That’s speaking the truth in love.

When the Devil speaks he lies to you, and you can remember that’s He’s defeated. Did your dad ever say to you, “Don’t make me get my belt?” Say that to the devil! You have the truth. Believe it and use it!

2.   Take up the Body Armor of Righteousness

This is the big piece for an Astronaut. The layers and layers and layers AND LAYERS of protection that they need from the elements. The body armor. Notice that our verse doesn’t say take up your muscles or work real hard. No! It says to put on the body armor of righteousness. This isn’t from you. It’s something you have to put on. It’s not self-righteousness.

Check this verse out:

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

We are in a right connection with God, we are made righteous through Jesus, and we can now choose to do the right thing. And when we CHOOSE to do the right thing, when we live like we’re righteous people, and that means living our lives according to God’s Word and plan for our lives, that’s when we’re putting on the armor of righteousness.

3.   Tie Up the Shoes of Peace

Astronauts have special shoes that they can use on space walks. See, the way they get around is by using cables and pull systems, by using their hands and pulling themselves along; however, things get tricky when they need to pick something up, and so their shoes are specially designed to lock into different places on the space station so that they can get around without slipping and flying off into space (Picture the movie Gravity here. Did anyone else get super nauseous during that one, or just me?). The shoes of peace will also help you to keep from slipping and sliding and falling. They’ll keep you grounded!

Ephesians 6:15 says:

“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”

Peace keeps us prepared for what’s ahead. And this isn’t any kind of peace, this is real lasting peace. This is the peace that comes from the Good News. This is the truth that Jesus lived a perfect life when we couldn’t and payed the ultimate price for all of us. And, that he rose again and made a way for us to be made whole and not only that but to be connected with God who loves us!

We need to wear that, and we also need to remember that the purpose of shoes is for grounding, and also it’s for going! Your job now that you know the Good News is to go and tell others about it too!

4.   Put on the Helmet of Salvation

Astronauts truly have a helmet of Salvation that they wear. Can you imagine the consequences if they took that helmet off their heads on a space walk? Talk about being transformed into a new creation! The results would not be pretty. That’s why they’ve got to stay geared up. And just like that, God has give us a helmet of salvation, of protection to wear.

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

See, God wants to change and challenge the things that go on up there in your mind. And I can share from personal experience, it’s always for the better. Life is better doing it God’s way! I remember many different seasons in my life where I would listen to whatever music I wanted, whatever felt good, or whatever my friends were listening to. I always wanted to be cool and fit in. When I was sad, I’d listen to sad music. When I was angry, I’d listen to angry music. I spent lots of time fueling and reinforcing my anxiety, anger, and negativity, through the music, movies, and media that I was consuming. God wants more for you than that! He wants to transform your mind from a place of anxiety to a place of peace, but in order to do that, you have to let Him. You have to begin to turn over the things that need to be changed and give them to Him.

And, it’s also going to mean that you let go of some things that in the moment, you may not want to let go of. It also means taking stock of what you fill your mind with. What kind of music are you listening to? Is it dark? Is it violent? I can promise you right now that listening to Travis Scott all day is not going to help you live with more peace. Spending more time watching your favorite influencer’s content is not going to help you live with more peace. Watching that popular show on Netflix is not going to help you live with more peace. So the question is, what do you want more? Peace or the world? Jesus or your favorite Spotify playlist? To keep living in hurt and pain or to live a life of freedom?

I want to challenge you right now. What needs to be transformed in your life today? What do you need to give over to God? Whether you’ve known God a long time or this is the first time you’re hearing about Him, we all have something in our lives that needs to be transformed. So take a second, figure out what that is, and then give it up to Him.

5.   The Sword of the Spirit

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12

Getting into God’s Word daily is going to help set you up for whatever may be ahead of you. It is active. As you read God’s Word, he is going to be transforming your heart and your life. And, even more than that, as we read our Bible, as we get it into our heart and our head, we are going to be able to live lives that honor God and protect us, keeping us on God’s path and what is best for our lives.

“I have stored up your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

I want to give you another challenge: begin to memorize scripture.

It’s one of the most helpful tools for your life, and you may be saying—I can’t do that. It’s too hard. But, just think of all of those song lyrics and movie quotes that you have on lock. All the TikToks that you repeat back and forth with your friends—those little inside jokes. If you can do that, you can do this. So, start here with Psalm 119:11, and begin to memorize God’s Word, so that you can be ready when you need to hear it again.

And lastly,

Hold Up the Shield of Faith

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

I want to remind you right now, that you have faith in lots of things all the time. You do faith every time you get out of bed in the morning and every time you get in the car. You are putting your trust in things that you don’t fully understand. Which is why I know that today, if you wanted to, you could put your full faith in God. They say, “Seeing is believing.” But when you believe, God says, you will see.

And right now, He is calling you above all else, to pick up some faith! Wherever you are being pulled in this season of life, God is calling you to have faith in Him.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

If you want to accept that gift of salvation, if you’re reading this, and you’re saying, “I need God in this next season of my life. I need to be geared up with the tools that He’s giving me. I need a total transformation.” Then I want to encourage you, you’re in luck! Because God wants to give that to you right now. He set this moment up 2000 years ago when He gave his son to die for you. Jesus died, and He rose again, and He took the place for you and me. God wants to turn you into a new creation if you’ll put Him in charge of your life.

That may be one small step for God, and one giant leap for you, but I promise, it’s the greatest decision you will ever make.