Psalm 37:23 ESV
What is the guiding force in your life?
How do you know if you are on the right road to your desired outcome?
Many of us right now have a calendar full of meetings, family gatherings, trips, and a full To-Do-List.
Have you scheduled time with God? Is he a priority in your week?
I can be the first to raise my hand and say that many times I was far too busy to sit with God! I would rush through my days and spent very little time in solitude or quiet reflection. Until now when the bottom fell out! I had to learn to not rush my time with God. I have always been a person of prayer, but my posture wasn’t in the right place. I had to learn that when I surrender my plans to God’s they ALWAYS turn out far better! We all make many plans and some times they go well and sometimes they don’t.
The reason that so often our plans do not work out is because we may have the wrong timing, priorities, or insight. We have limited vision, we cannot often see what is awaiting around the corner so to speak. We make decisions and hope for the best, while God sees from beginning to end. If you knew all the answers you would not need God. He desires that we entrust our plans to him. It builds relationship and intimacy, each time we lean into his promptings.
It takes humility to ask God for help and guidance. We are often always in a hurry and rush ahead and then get disappointed. I have done this more times than I would like to think about! As I get older, I see in hindsight all the ways I moved too quickly. However, do not be discouraged God is a Good Shepherd, he knows we will get off course and wander. He leads us back gently and sometimes forcefully. The Bible is clear about the course correct that God will put us on.
“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:8 ESV
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.””
Hebrews 12:6 ESV
If you are a parent then you can see God’s heart in these verses. We discipline our children, not to hurt them, but to lead them to what is best. Now imagine if you knew how very detail of your child’s life would pan out! Of course you would try to intervene and help them get back on the right path! You could spot the heartache coming from a mile away! Like us God the Father wants to shield us from the pain of sinful consequences. Many times as parents we know all too well from our own experiences where our children’s choices will lead.
Do you remember your child’s first day of school? How excited they were and all nerves. Then you too were feeling emotional as you walked them into the building, not wanting to leave your most treasured possession, in the hands of strangers. You packed their bags, got them dressed, gave them warm affectionate hugs and kisses and sent them off. I can imagine God is the same over us, a doting Father preparing us for our first day. We have no idea the destiny that awaits but HE does!
I implore you to turn your heart to him, repent of sins, and walk in his ways. It will be a choice that despite hardships, will far exceed your expectations! None of us are exempt from pain, disappointments, or suffering but that is what makes the journey worthwhile. If you don’t have children, think about your own parents and how they felt about all of your firsts in life. God wants a close relationship with you. He is not a distant being in the sky, he is a loving Father.
The other night I dreamed of a Father’s love. In my life I haven’t always had a close relationship with my own Daddy. It often made me afraid to trust God’s lead. If that is something you may have, I ask that you give it him a chance. In the dream I was cautious, guarded, and afraid. I felt the desire for closeness but I knew it meant I had to come in closer. I knew it meant I had to let the walls come down. In the dream this Father didn’t look like my own. This man was tall, thin, very intelligent, handsome, and kind, gentle, and one distinct feature: He was deaf. I thought this was so unusual.
It was as if he revealed it to me. It was like my distance had made our relationship one sided. I remember feeling I wanted his love. I laid down next to him and cuddled up to him and felt a great sense of love and comfort. He showed me his high tech hearing aids and I was surprised. Friends, I told you all this to say: Maybe you haven’t gotten to know God because you fear some unknown part of him. I can admit that for so long I did. The greatest love we can ever know and so often we fear him because of what we do not understand about him.
Maybe he was deaf in my dream because I felt like my many prayers were unheard? Or perhaps he just doesn’t communicate the way that expect and therefore I miss him all together!
As you think about your next decisions on your journey, I urge you to sit before God with your plans in hand. Pray over them, ask for his guidance.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
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