Worthless Paths

"'Ah, stubborn children,' declares the LORD,

'who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance,

but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin;

who set out to go down to Egypt,

without asking for my direction,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame,

and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

For though his officials are at Zoan

and his envoys reach Hanes,

everyone comes to shame

through a people that cannot profit them,

that brings neither help nor profit,

but shame and disgrace.'"

Isaiah 30:1-5 ESV

I panic.  Things are looking bad and I've got to do something before it gets worse.  I must act in order to slow the progression of pain and suffering.  Problem is, all I do is worthless and leads to disappointment and humiliation at the realization of how foolish I've been.  How did I get here, unsettled, confused, and bewildered at my predicament?  

It's all my doing.

Contrary Plans.  I do what makes sense to me.  I act according to what comes naturally, going the way that most pleases me and is within my realm of comfort.  I stay away from anything that meddles with my desires or stretches me outside of my normal sphere of ease and well-being.

Trouble is, every solution I'm drawn to is contrary to God's best for me.  He has a plan that goes in the opposite direction as mine (Galatians 5:16-18).  When I'm in charge of deciding what is best for me, I'll choose wrong every time.  If I instead let God's indwelling Spirit lead me as I surrender all to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, I'll find the game plan changing drastically.  While I tend to seek solutions that diminish suffering and choose the path of least resistance, God may utilize the difficult as tools to shape my character into the form of His Sons' (Romans 8:28-29).  While I look for self-serving and self-preserving options, God has a plan that glorifies His own name (Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 42:8).  While I lean toward the well-worn, smooth and crowded way, God's is less-traveled and far more difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

My plans are contrary to God's plans so I must always seek His path upon which to travel.

Undirected Alliances.  I look for someone who can help me.  I need to know how to proceed, how to navigate through these uncharted waters.  I have no idea what to do, how to go forward, which direction to take.  Therefore, I go to the experts in the field, those who've gained experience in doing what I've never done, who are confidently extolling the virtues of their expertise.  I want the best on my side in order to give me the best possible outcome.

Trouble is, every source of help I'm drawn to is far inferior to what God has in mind.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, a grafted-in branch who has the benefit of deep roots supplying endless grace and untold wisdom, I can let His Spirit guide me to those who will help me in the way He has in mind (Romans 11:17).  When I instead lean on my own understanding, gravitating toward the wrong people who have the wrong goals and intentions, I've missed out on the blessing of letting God choose for me.  Since I have the advantage of a Helper who can point me to those who give godly advice and have kingdom direction, I would be wise to seek such guidance.

My alliances are with those who can't help in the same way the Spirit-directed partnerships can.

Mislaid Trust.   I put my eggs in the wrong basket, trusting in the kind of protection that seems wise but is far from God's best for me.  It seems good and smart to invest in insurance coverage, to go to the powerful who have clout enough to make a difference, or to place my trust in those who have connections that can help give me a leg up.  I check the expert's opinions and follow their outline to the letter.  I'm confident I've given myself the best possible chance.

Trouble is, I've failed to consult God regarding His master plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  If He holds the blueprint for the ongoing construction project that is taking place within my heart, I may hold up progress if I act outside of His intentions and follow a different, contrary set of plans (Philippians 1:6).  I may even undo some of the work that He has done, setting back my progress as I selfishly seek my own ways.  If I want to see godly growth, I must submit to His plan for me, cooperating with what He has in mind for my life (Romans 12:2).  

My trust is mislaid when I put my faith in that which is outside of God's will, failing to consult God for His sovereign plan for my life.

Decisions made in a state of panic or desperation are not usually good ones.  When I feel burdened by suffering and difficulty, I look for a way out.  Unfortunately, I don't always consult God's indwelling Spirit, an advantage I've gained by trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior (John 14:26).  When I ignore this wonderful benefit, I tend to choose plans that are contrary to His, make ungodly alliances, and place my trust in the wrong places.  In these ways, all I do is pointless and leads to disappointment and worry.  What a worthless path to take!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to Jesus and sensitive to His Spirit's leading.

When do I go off on my own, choosing my own path?

How do I lean on those who don't know God?        

God Mixes It Up

"Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

what He has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy;

but when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one

as well as the other.

Therefore, no one can discover

anything about their future."

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

There are so many plans I could make and attempt to carry out in order to give me the life I want.  I recently read about a high school graduate who has his life planned out until he was 43 at which time he believes he will become President of the United States.  While this culture applauds such confidence and ambition, (evidenced by the fact that his story was printed on the front page of the local paper) is it a godly approach to life?  Can any of us really predict the future?  

Only God knows for certain.  Consequently, how should we live?

Control.  My grandmother did it before me and I have inherited her habit.  We share an affinity for weather reports.  While I don't record each day's conditions like she did, I am fascinated by forecasts.  A day is just not complete until I see what the weatherman thinks is headed our way for the coming hours.  The one thing I have noticed is that no one can predict the weather with 100% accuracy. I chalk this up to the sovereignty of God.

In the same way that rain can come on the day of the picnic even though sun is forecast, my own plans can be messed up by an unforeseen event.  Whether it is sickness, an accident, a natural disaster or some other crisis, God could allow hardship and suffering into my life at any time.  As a child of the King, I can be assured that whatever He approves of for my life will test my faith and grow my character (James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:3-5).  It all is part of His glorious design that will bring about His best for me while pointing others to Him (Romans 8:28).

As I live my life, peace will come when I rest in the truth of God's sovereignty: He controls my future.

Formula.  "God will give you a good life because you are taking care of children."  My Muslim friend confidently proclaimed this belief to me when my family ran a free afterschool program in our neighborhood.  Her faith taught her that good deeds produces a comfortable, carefree life and that Allah, her god, would reward endeavors performed with a pure heart by shielding her from hardship. 

The One True God does not follow this kind of mindset.  In fact, if I want to live on Easy Street, I had probably better avoid following Jesus (John 15:18-25, Malachi 3:3, John 16:33).  The blessings of God do not always translate into worldly or physical blessings.  Rather, the reward often comes later, after this life is over when I will enter into the presence of God by faith in Jesus (Matthew 5:12, Hebrews 10:35).  If I'm looking for the good life now, I may be disappointed.  If I'm hoping for all that He promises me in eternity,however, I will not be let down.

As I live my life, I'll learn to cope with hardship when I realize the struggles are not necessarily a result of my failures, but often a part of living a life in relationship with Jesus.

Blind.  After I go through a hard thing like a crisis or difficulty that brings pain and suffering, I often feel a bit gun shy, wondering what this present day will bring.  As I consider the hardship I just went through, I think it would be nice to know what's coming down the pike so I could brace myself.  In reality, though, such knowledge would be too much for me to bear.

Thankfully, God knows it is better for His image-bearers to live life blind to the future.  In His wisdom, He only reveals what I need to know at the time that is necessary so as not to overwhelm my frail being with unnecessary heartache.  Therefore, it is vital that I trust Him, realizing if He is wise enough to guard me from knowing too much about what is to come, He is also wise enough to know how to get me through tomorrow's untold sorrows. In fact, I can rest in the fact that He is already there.  His grace is all I need to withstand any heartache; upon this truth I can stake my life (2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:12-13).

As I live my life, I can rest in the knowledge that it's enough that God knows what is coming my way, and I can trust that He will get me through tomorrow's unknown.

I can make my plans but only God holds the blueprint for my life.  Therefore, I'd be wise to acknowledge that He is in control, there is no formula to living a stress-free life, and that living blind to the future is God's best for me.  While I'd love to have my life all mapped out so I know what to expect, I've found that God mixes it up.  What an adventure life with Jesus is!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him control my tomorrow.

When do I attempt to be the master of my own destiny?

How am I frustrated with my inability to control my days? 

  

Unaware

" 'I am with you and will watch over you

wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you until I have done 

what I have promised you.'

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought,

'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.' "

Genesis 28:15-16

How many times is God with me and I'm not even aware of His presence?  When I'm worried about the future,  angry at my loved one, grieving over a loss, or brokenhearted at the thought of past sins. . . He is there with me.

After Jesus gave what we call "The Great Commission" as recorded in Matthew 28, he ended with the declaration that, ". . . surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (v 20)

God is with me, even when I don't realize it, but if I don't acknowledge Him in all my ways, I will not recognize His presence.

In His Word

There are many people who read the Bible as a book of wisdom and guidance.  It is chock-full of good advice and helpful hints on how to live a good life.  But the Bible is so much more than a self-help book or a manual of guidance!

The Bible is God's Word.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  

God is present in His Word!  Once I accept Jesus as my Savior, His Spirit dwells within me.  As I read God's Word, His indwelling Spirit teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness.   

It is important to be steeped in the Truth that is found in God's Word so that I will recognize the lies that our culture constantly puts forth.  As poet Ralph Waldo Emerson penned, "Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies."  I am so easily deceived and led astray!

If I will take the time to study God's Word, His Spirit will painfully point out the deceptive beliefs I have taken in as gospel and will convict me to purge my thoughts of those deceiving teachings.  

In order to recognize God's presence in His Word, I must take the time to study it as His living Word, giving Him access to my spirit so He can use it to sever ungodly thoughts and attitudes.

Directing My Footsteps  

I remember an old proverb that goes, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."  While it is good for me to think about my future and plan wisely, I must realize that God is the one in control.  As Proverbs 16:9 reminds me, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." (NLT)

I am easily frustrated when things don't go my way because I forget this truth.  Like when my car won't start, causing me to be late for an appointment.  As I fume in aggravation, God is patiently protecting me from an accident I would have encountered if I had left on my schedule. 

Or when my pregnancy is not going as planned, keeping me on bed rest instead of giving me a chance to continue working as I had intended.  While I sit like a giant incubator, God is teaching me lessons about trusting Him that I could not have learned any other way.

Or when I wanted to eat my favorite dish for lunch, but it didn't work out like I had planned.  As I pout in disappointment, God is working to shield me from food poisoning.  

Plans are good, but trusting God is better.  He is the One that knows the directions for my life so if I follow Him, I won't get lost!

Patiently Waiting

God does not force His way into my life.  Instead, He waits to be invited.  Revelation 3:20 quotes Jesus as saying, "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with Him, and He with me." 

The picture is of Jesus standing on the threshold of my everyday life, waiting to be invited in among the ordinary things.  He wants to be part of my meals, my conversations, my work, my home, my vacations, my thoughts.  But He won't enter in unless asked.

God is not just a God of the big stuff; weddings, graduations, deaths, births, crises.  He is also a God of the little things: scraped knees, hurt feelings, lost kitties, loneliness, dead batteries.  God cares about me and He wants to be a part of every piece of my life!

God loves me and is with me in so many ways, but I don't even realize it.  In order to become more conscious of His loving presence, I must make an intentional effort to acknowledge Him.  He is present in the reading of His Word, in the direction of my footsteps, and as He waits patiently to be invited into the everyday parts of my life.

Fifteenth Century Catholic theologian Teresa of Avila recorded her thoughts about the concept of God's presence in our lives.  She wrote, "The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too."  

Yes, He's there . . . even when I'm unaware.  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will learn to open my life freely to the God who loves me.

How do I unknowingly block God from certain parts of my life?

How do I knowingly block God from certain parts of my life?