Taking the First Step: Faith, the Jordan River, and the Abundant Life
The Struggle with the First Step
Have you ever felt stuck in your faith? You believe the gospel, you know the truth of Scripture, and you want to walk in the freedom and joy Christ offers—but somehow, it all feels just out of reach. That was me for years.
I knew I was saved, but my life didn’t reflect the peace and abundance I read about in God’s Word. Instead, I felt trapped in a cycle of depression and anxiety, constantly striving for something that seemed just beyond my grasp.
It wasn’t that I doubted the gospel or didn’t love Jesus—I did. But the truth of my union with Him hadn’t moved from my head to my heart. I longed to live in the newness of life that Romans 6 describes, but I couldn’t seem to take the first step.
Throwing Down a Fleece
One of the questions I often hear from others is, “Is it okay to throw down a fleece?” They’re referring to the story of Gideon in Judges 6, where he asked God for a sign to confirm His Word. It’s often presented as a way to seek direction, but I wonder if the deeper issue isn’t about direction—it’s about trust.
When we throw down a fleece, are we really asking, “Is God real? Can I trust Him?”
That was part of my struggle. I believed in the facts of salvation and the truths of Scripture, but I was waiting for some undeniable confirmation to move forward in faith. I wanted to see the waters part before I took a step.
The Red Sea vs. The Jordan River
The story of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land highlights two pivotal moments: the crossing of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan River.
When God parted the Red Sea, the Israelites walked through on dry ground, escaping the bondage of Egypt. It was a powerful picture of salvation—God’s work, entirely apart from their own efforts.
But the Jordan River was different. This time, God didn’t stop the waters before they moved. He called the priests to step into the river first. Only after they took that step did He stop the flow, allowing the people to cross into the Promised Land.
Salvation is like the Red Sea. It’s all God—His grace, His power, His gift to us. But the abundant life—the freedom, joy, and peace of living fully in Christ—is more like the Jordan. It requires us to take a step of faith, trusting God even when we can’t yet see the way forward.
Taking My Step of Faith
For me, that step of faith came one unforgettable night when the truth of my union with Christ moved from my head to my heart. For some time, I had known intellectually that I was crucified with Christ, that I was a new creation, and that His joy and peace were mine to walk in. But I hadn’t truly experienced it in my daily life.
That night, something changed. It was as if Jesus was saying to me, “Take the first step. Trust that this is true.” In that moment, I did. I trusted Him—not in a vague or abstract way, but in the deeply personal truth that His joy and peace were already mine. I stepped forward in faith by living as though what He said about me was true, because it is true.
Let me be clear: I wasn’t pretending to be free from anxiety and depression. I wasn’t putting on a mask or forcing myself to feel differently. Instead, I rested in the truth that God’s promises are unchanging. As His beloved child, I already had His joy and peace available to me, waiting to be appropriated. These spiritual blessings weren’t something I had to earn; they had been given to me through Christ. It almost sounded too good to be true—so simple. But isn’t that the beauty of the gospel? It is simple, and it’s true.
I trusted Him at His word. And how could I trust Him? Because He is trustworthy, and He said I could.
That night reminded me of the apostle Thomas. Thomas needed to see and touch Jesus’ wounds to believe. Like him, I had spent years wrestling with doubt, needing tangible assurance. But that night, Jesus revealed Himself in a way that felt as though He was inviting me to touch His wounds. My response was the same as Thomas’s: “My Lord and my God!”
For me, the Jordan wasn’t a physical river; it was the invisible barrier of doubt, fear, and ignorance that had kept me from stepping into the abundant life God had already given me. Crossing it wasn’t about striving or effort—it was about trusting the unchanging truth of who Christ is and what He has done for me. Faith doesn’t wait for feelings; it moves forward in the reality of His promises.
The Abundant Life is Now
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they stepped into the life God had promised—a life of provision, purpose, and rest in Him. This act of faith mirrors the spiritual reality Paul describes in Romans 6:4:
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
For us, the abundant life isn’t something we strive to earn or achieve—it is already ours in Christ. Experiencing it, however, requires us to take that first step of faith, trusting in the truth of our union with Him. This includes embracing the following realities:
We are crucified, buried, and resurrected with Christ, and He now lives in us, desiring to express His life through us (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:6-8; Col. 3:3-4).
His peace, joy, and life are ours through the indwelling of His Spirit (Rom. 8:9-11; John 14:27; John 15:11; Gal. 5:22-23).
We are new creations, free from the bondage of fear and despair (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1-2; Heb. 2:14-15).
The abundant life begins now—not in some distant future but in the present reality of our identity in Christ. It’s about living moment by moment in the truth of who He is and who we are because of Him. This life of provision, purpose, and rest is not based on what we achieve but on what He has already accomplished for us.
Actionable Steps to Cross Your Jordan
Identify Your Jordan: What’s holding you back from walking fully in the life God has for you? Is it fear, doubt, guilt, or something else? Write it down.
Meditate on Scripture: Reflect on passages like Romans 6:4, Galatians 2:20, and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Let these truths remind you of who you are in Christ.
Take the First Step: Choose one way to act on your faith today. It might mean surrendering control, forgiving someone, or simply trusting God’s promise over your feelings.
Walk Daily in Truth: Remind yourself each day of your union with Christ. Journal your journey, speak His promises aloud, and thank Him for His faithfulness.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Lord, thank You that in Christ, You have already given us everything we need for life and godliness. Thank You for the joy, peace, and freedom that are ours because of our union with Him.
We rejoice that You have already conquered every barrier before us. Thank You for calling us to trust You, for always leading us, and for being faithful in every moment.
As we step into the abundant life You’ve promised, we give You all the glory. Thank You for Your love, Your provision, and Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Encouragement
Take heart and take the step. The abundant life isn’t something you have to earn—it’s already yours in Christ. Trust Him to lead you, walk with Him daily, and rest in the truth that He lives in you and wants to live through you, faithfully guiding you into His promises.