By Jim Davis

We’ve all heard the saying that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It’s attributed
to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, who lived over 2000 years ago. The quote may be old, but it’s as
true today as it was back then. The fact is, the best ideas in the world will never come to fruition unless
someone takes the first step toward making them a reality. One person needs to take the initiative to
start the process and put the plan in motion to achieve the goal.

It begins with One: one person who is willing to take a first step toward helping others transform their
lives and their community.

There are lots of reasons why people are reluctant to take that first step. They may doubt their ability to
actually do the work or be fearful of the time it might require. But “God does not begin by asking our
ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.”2 In other
words, if the work to be done is in line with God’s plan, he will help it to succeed.

God doesn’t want us to fear taking that first step. Quite the opposite. He would want us to be
concerned with the consequences of not taking it. “Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear
vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we have wasted, of all that we might
have done which we did not do.” 3  God created each of us with unique gifts so that we could help fulfill
his purpose on Earth. And he “. . . has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give
with.” 4  It would definitely please God to see us take that first step and put our lives into play by helping
others.

It begins with One. Will that One be You . . .

1 “Lao Tzu Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. BrainyMedia Inc, 2021. 3 August 2021.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/lao_tzu_137141
2 “Neal A. Maxwell Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. BrainyMedia Inc, 2021. 3 August 2021.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/neal_a_maxwell_391104
3 “Gian Carlo Menotti Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. BrainyMedia Inc, 2021. 3 August 2021.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/gian_carlo_menotti_377611
4 “Billy Graham Quotes.” BrainyQuote.com. BrainyMedia Inc, 2021. 3 August 2021.
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/billy_graham_150657