One Step at a Time: Writing, Faith, and the Courage to Keep Going

I never quite know what’s next.

Not in my writing. Not in my stories. Not in my life.

And honestly? That’s the same for everyone, right?

It used to terrify me - the unknown.

There’s something in us that craves certainty, carefully laid out plans, and the sure footing of our next steps. We like roadmaps, GPS, outlines, and crystal-clear plans. We want to see the entire staircase before we even take the first step.

But God rarely works that way - at least, not with me.

When Hunter and I were first walking through infertility, we grew close to my cousin and his wife who had walked a similar road before us. I’ll never forget something she said to us, “Don’t listen to the noise around you both. Just take one step that God has put before you and don’t worry about the entire path. Focus on the next step forward.” That stopped me in my tracks. I realized right then and there, I didn’t need to have it all figured out. I just need to follow Him one faithful step at a time.

Sometimes the next step looks like continuing the next book in your series even when no one’s read the first one.

Sometimes the next step looks like saying yes to where God wants you to go even when you’re not sure you belong there.

Sometimes the next step looks like praying again…after months of silence.

Sometimes the next step looks terrifying because you’d be stepping out in faith.

It reminds me of that moment in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - you know the one. Indy is standing at the edge of the cliff, staring into a bottomless drop, and the only way forward is…nothing. Just air. But when he finally puts his foot out in trust, the invisible bridge appears beneath him. Of course, he throws some dust first, to make sure. And I can relate to that, because faith isn’t always pristine. We’re human. Sometimes we make a mess. Sometimes we test the waters. Sometimes we beg God for a sign before we take that step.

But we step anyway.

I recently watched a film that brought all this to me in a fresh and relatable way. Journey to You is a Hallmark movie about a woman walking the Camino in Spain with her late father’s devotional journal that he gave to her before his passing. Once there, she befriends and, because this is a Hallmark movie, she falls in love with a man taking the same journey on the Camino with his father and son. They are led by a wise and insightful woman that is both guide and becomes a trusted friend. What struck me wasn’t the setting or the scenery (though it was beautiful). It was this thread throughout the movie when they talked about faith.

“Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Uncertainty is.”

This resonated with me in a deep way.

Because you can wrestle with doubt and still believe. Thomas did. David did. The father in Mark 9:24 who told Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief” did. Doubt simply means you’re still engaging, still believing and wrestling with your feelings and beliefs. But uncertainty - that’s the root that chokes faith. If we’re not certain of who God is and what He’s capable of, we’ll never trust what He’s doing.

Certainty isn’t about facts and formulas. It’s about knowing Him. And knowing Him is intimate.

“The people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” - Daniel 11:32

The word “know” here isn’t casual. It’s personal. It’s the kind of knowing that comes from time, trust, and closeness. The more I lean in - through prayer, tears, pages, and pauses - the more I recognize His voice. And when you know who holds tomorrow, you can walk through today with certainty, with faith.

So, maybe the next step in my writing career isn’t crystal clear. Maybe the story I’m telling, both on the pages I write and in the life I live, is still unfolding in ways I don’t yet understand. But I can take the step that’s right in front of me. I can trust the bridge will be there when I take that step.

And if you’re like me - holding your breath at the edge of something unseen - maybe that’s your invitation, too.

Just take the next step.

Not the whole path. Not the whole plan. Just the step He’s placed before you.

And watch how He meets you there.

~ Tiffany G. Jackson