March is a month of movement. It’s right there in the name – marching forward, stepping ahead, making progress. The cold grip of winter loosens, the first signs of spring appear and the world stirs with new life.
Maybe that’s why this time of year makes me think about momentum – the purposeful act of pressing on, in life and in faith. Christians can use this idea to serve as an encouraging reminder to march forward in faith while staying in step with God.
I’ve never been one to sit still for long. I spent my career teaching journalism, helping students find their voices and their footing. These days, I keep plenty busy singing in my a cappella chorus, working with my service group, teaching online, attending Bible studies, promoting my husband’s artwork, and generally staying connected to my North Louisiana community.
Life keeps moving, and so must we. But faith isn’t just about movement. It’s about direction.
Joshua 1:9 reminds us of God’s words to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
That verse speaks to me because I’ve had my own “wandering in the wilderness” moments – times of uncertainty, seasons where I wasn’t sure what was next, interludes where I was stuck in a pattern of doing exactly the wrong thing. I suspect many of us have.
The Israelites had walked for 40 years, but it wasn’t until that moment with Joshua that they truly began to move forward into God’s promise. Yes, they had been traveling, but the journey didn’t lead them to the place God had in mind. Their walking had to become intentional, trusting that God would lead them into something new and better.
I sometimes think about that when I sing with my chorus. In an a cappella group, you don’t have a piano or guitar to keep you on track. Instead, you listen – to the voices around you, to the rhythm, to the harmony. If you charge ahead or lag behind, the song falls apart. But when everyone listens and moves together, a perfect harmony emerges.
Faith is like that, too. Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” It’s not just about forging ahead; it’s about walking in rhythm with God.
If you’ve ever walked with someone whose stride is much faster or slower than yours, you know how frustrating it can be. But when you adjust your steps – when you find that rhythm – the walk becomes easier, more natural. It becomes a shared journey instead of a solo effort.
That’s what God invites us into. A journey where he leads and we follow. Not rushing ahead in impatience. Not dragging behind in fear. Just walking with him, step by step.
And as we do so, there’s comfort in the realization that walking in step with God doesn’t mean we won’t face obstacles. It means we won’t face them alone. When the journey feels uphill and the path is rocky, he steadies our steps. When we grow weary, he provides rest. When we feel lost, he lights the way.
Maybe right now, you feel like you’re at a standstill, unsure of the next move. Or maybe you’re on the edge of something new, your heart pounding, wondering if you have the courage to step forward. Just remember: Wherever you are, you’re not alone. God is walking with you.
So this March, let’s march. Let’s take the next step. In faith. In trust. In step with him.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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