We Plan, God Laughs…

GUIDANCE

Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Reflections: I know what I want; and when I set a goal in my sights, I go after it with everything I’ve got. This quality can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on the circumstances; and over the years, God has taught me the importance of tempering my fleshly determination and tapping into my Spirit as I make decisions and set goals. I could want something with every fiber of my being; but if it’s not what God wants for me, then I have to let it go. Why? Because I want God’s best in my life, and I have grown to understand that what God ordains/wills for me is so much better than anything I could dream up for myself. Plus, I have the added bonuses of 1) knowing how much it pleases God for me to trust Him and desire His will and 2) resting in the knowledge that when I’m walking in God’s will, even if my life seems to be in turmoil, everything will eventually work out as it should. He walks beside me, and He will provide me with everything I need to make it through, stronger and wiser, to the other side.

So as you’re making plans, setting goals, and dreaming of the future you want for yourself, make sure that you make God a part of your planning process. He will never lead you in the wrong direction, and HIS plan for you is greater than anything that you could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

“Even in the busyness of our lives, we must always take time to surrender our agendas at His feet, and be willing to examine our approach [to] each situation.” ~Charlotte Gambill

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Bright! 

At the Crossroads…

DIRECTION

Psalm 119:105 – “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

 Psalm 73:23-24a – “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel.”

Reflections: Have you ever felt like you were at a crossroads? Like the decision you were about to make could determine the course of the rest of your life? That moment can be overwhelming, and a bit terrifying, particularly if you are trying to make the choice on your own. It is in those crucial moments of decision that it is most important for us to seek the Lord’s guidance and direction. He promises that when we seek Him, He will take us by our right hand and show us the way.

When we’re seeking God’s guidance, the best way to find Him is through prayer and the reading of His Word, which will be like a lamp for your feet and a light on your path, leading you in the direction you should go. The Bible also tells us to seek wise counsel. Now, that doesn’t mean that you should go running to everyone you know asking for advice; because eventually, their opinions will begin to drown out your own voice and, more importantly, the voice of God. Find that person who is a spiritual mentor, who you know has a strong faith, knows the Word, and lives their lives according to that Word. But make sure that you use discernment, and know that any wisdom that God speaks through them will not conflict with what He has already told or shown you. It will be a confirmation, sometimes of a Word He gave you that you only realize and understand in that moment.

Whatever approach you take, know that God will never leave you alone in that moment of decision; and rest in the knowledge that if you take the path that He sets before you–even if the road gets rocky at times–you will find fulfillment, provision, and ultimately victory, as God guides you into your purpose.

Also Read:

Proverbs 19:20-21 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Thoughts or reactions? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!