Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
So many times the choices we make and the paths we take in life are driven by circumstances. We sail through our days taking care of our families and attending church and Bible study all the while sure we are living God’s plan for our lives. We are to a certain extent, but what if there is more? What if there is more than just being drug around by the “Tyranny of the Urgent?”
Of course it is God’s plan for us to take care of our families and other responsibilities and grow through Bible studies and fellowship with others but…could there be more He has in store for us each day? Are we too comfortable in our lives, absorbed by the busyness, that we don’t hear God’s voice; we just ignore it guiltlessly?
We are doing good things, things He would want us to do, right? Jennie Allen, author of Anything, said “Somewhere in my life I picked up the idea that if things did not feel right or fall perfectly into place, God was not in them. What if my life was going so beautifully because I wasn’t chasing after God?” What if I am content right where I am doing all of these good things I am supposed to do every day? I could live a long, happy, calm life and pass away one day never knowing what I missed along the way because I was not sensitive to the voice of God calling me to better things and not willing to let go and step out of my comfort zone. Beware when the good things in life make us so comfortable that we don’t seek the best.
Sometimes following the directions God gives us is hard. Sometimes it is scary. But every small step in our lives is part of a bigger plan and each step leads to another. Our call to obedience not only affects our lives, but it is part of an even bigger plan involving all creation. We all have a part in the glorious unfolding plan God has for the world. But we humans are stubborn. Sometimes when God is leading us in a particular direction, we decide that we don’t want to walk that way. While it may be because of fear it also may be because we are comfortable and do not wish to be uncomfortable.
Sometimes after receiving God’s directions we doubt our ability. Sometimes our faith is not big enough. Interestingly, God did not worry about whether people in the Bible times felt capable. He just handed out the callings. Whatever the reason is, sometimes we run the other direction. I am sure this amuses God because we think we have taken the reins and run away but He is still in control. He gives us free will to choose whether or not we will cooperate, but He has a plan. He has a special plan and the parts all fit together perfectly and beautifully. When we don’t cooperate, He just “recalculates”.
God is the Supreme Being. He is almighty, all-powerful God. He can do anything He wants to, but His perfect plan involves us falling right into place in obedience. He created us so He knows this is not always going to happen. What happens when we don’tdo what He wants us to do or gowhere He wants us to go? He is God. His plan will still be fulfilled. My throwing myself down in the middle of the path and having a temper tantrum is not going to derail Him. He will bypass me and find another route. The plan will not suffer, only me. I don’t want to get to Heaven and realize I have missed the journey because God had rerouted around me. How many blessings have I missed because I was afraid? How many callings have I run from because I have lacked courage? No one loves us more than God and the things He has for our life must be the very bestthings in life. They won’t always be easy and sometimes they will be downright painful, but out of it all will come something beautiful, something He planned for a purpose.
Scripture to Claim:
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
