My title is Making My Own Way vs Following His Steps.
It seems to be ingrained in us to make our own way. “You can do this” we tell ourselves. “You have it within you” we chant. We have false teachers /gurus like Joel Osteen and others of his ilk who tell us “God wants you to have your best life now.” No. No. No. We also have false teachers like Paula White saying, “Anyone who tells you to deny yourself is Satan.” Hmmmm. What did she just call Jesus?
Last night I continued my reading of A Company of Heroes by Tim Keesee. It is a fascinating read about people living life in the trenches-Africa, Asia, Russia, China, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and elsewhere. People who put their lives on the line everyday to give the Gospel to lost people. Muslims. Communists. Marxists. Mormons. Rebels. The list seems endless. I ran across this quote by Hudson Taylor last night as I read:
All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on his being with them. (p.133)
I had read that before but as I read these real life stories it came home to me in a fresh way. (Side note: Notice Taylor made no reference at all to having the power within or thinking your way to success. Just sayin’)
THEN this morning I read these words: “Trust in the Lord…Delight yourself in the Lord…Commit your way to the Lord…Be still before the Lord.” (Ps.37:3,4,5,7) Then this: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way.” (7:23)
If I accomplish anything for God, it is not and never will be in my own strength. It will never be because of my positive attitude. It will be because of God’s power and strength within me. It literally has nothing to do with making my own way. It has everything to do with following His steps and His plan for me.
“Father, help me to get rid of any semblance of self-will, self-way, self-improvement, self-anything and totally lean on You. Let me be weak so you can be strong. Let me follow in Your steps not try to make my own.”
I won’t argue with some who think they can pull themselves up by the bootstraps and push forward in their own strength. It obviously works for some to a point. I think the difference is all that effort, all that gain, all that energy… It is being used for things that are temporary. It won’t last, it will wear down.
I think the same can be said in the Christian circle. Sure there are some that can make a name for themselves that can push ideas forward, that can even have a building full of people. However, if Christ is not being allowed into the hearts of the people, If Christ isn’t being allowed to penetrate the lives of the people, it is temporary.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Mt 16:26
I think the key phrase you use is “to a point.” But your next phrase says it even better: “if Christ is not being allowed into the hearts…” It will not last. The verse is one of my favorites.
Amen, Bill! Away with the concept of self-anything! It is only when I’ve emptied myself that God can dwell within me, and give me the strength and ability to accomplish any task He gives me.
Blessings!
May we all learn the value of emptying ourselves of ourselves and being fully God’s.
We get it half-right — “I can do all things.” We forget the rest of the sentence — “through Him who strengthens me.” Getting it half-right is still getting it wrong.
WOW Glynn. What a phenomenal perspective and comment.
I’m with you, Bill. It’s all His grace and for His glory. Our gift is getting to be a part of His grand plan, that’s it; so we can tell the world with our words and actions!
If we could only see it as a gift to be part of His grand plan it would change our world.