INSTALLMENT #1
The basis for The Trail by Ed Underwood (see my August 15 post) is that God’s will is not some thing that is mystical or otherworldly (my words). We make it out to be that way as we search here and there; throw out fleece after fleece; say “If this happens a certain way or time then I’ll know” and other ideas like that.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is clear: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Some translations say: “He will direct your paths.”
I think…(and this is my thought so blame me if you disagree 🙂 )…we have such trouble with knowing God’s will, and then even following it, because we like to have control. Different personalities look at life differently, and even having control differently. There are some who like to fly by the seat of their pants. Sort of like “go with the flow”. There are those who like to have some control. They enjoy the adventure but still want to kinda, sorta have some control. Then there are those who want to know every twist and turn, every nook and cranny of following Jesus. What’s next? What’s around the corner?
That phrase “He will direct your paths” is key. Why? Because it takes faith to follow. Like holding the hand of a parent, a child trusts his father/mother to lead him/her to safety or in the correct direction. There is security in that hand. The opposite of faith is control. How different it is for a child to hold the hand of their parent and go willingly vs holding the hand and constantly tugging or fighting. In most cases, the parent knows best (given our humanness); the child is wise to follow. “God doesn’t need your strength to guide you, but you do need His strength to recognize His guidance.” (p.14)
The reality is that we will never understand all that is ahead. God is not asking us to. But He is asking us to trust Him. Frankly, if I understand all that is ahead that puts me in the “I-am-God-category” and personally I am just not ready to say that! 🙂 Isaiah 42:8 (which I read this morning) says, “I am the Lord, that is My Name. I will not give my glory to another; nor My power to idols.”
Nope. God won’t share His place with anyone. That means I need to trust His wisdom and accept His strength.
First principle from My Trail: “God doesn’t need your strength to guide you, but you do need to trust His strength to recognize His guidance.”
“Father, help me to do as Proverbs 3 is telling me: not to rely on my own wisdom and strength, but on Yours. I’m not God; You are. Help me be willing to follow Your direction.”
I know for a fact that your 3rd paragraph IS my hangup. I like to be in control. I like to know the how, the when, the why, the where, and the timing. I like to know the cost, the sacrifice, the effort, the pain. I want to know as much as possible before I begin to move. I like to analyze my analysis to make sure it is correct. Unfortunately, this takes the “trust” factor out of the equation completely. When I think I have everything figured out, there isn’t much need for trust…
Here is the other thing, when I think I have things figured out… and then there is a curve ball or change of plans, then I get frustrated. I want to pause and re-evaluate and re-analyze to to figure out where I went wrong…
I like Proverbs 3:5-6… and I will say, I am getting better. There is still a large part of me that wants to know the details before I begin, but I have learned to trust and move and allow God to reveal His plan in chunks rather than feeling like I need to see the big picture from the beginning.
I like the first principle as well… It is not my strength that is needed, I simply need to trust and be obedient to what God is calling me to.
Proverbs 16:3 Hit me in the face this morning as well and goes along with this…
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established”.
This is a conditional statement… I love it because it is Logic…
Assumed “IF” statement — If work is committed to God, “THEN” your plans will be established.
That being the case… I don’t have to worry if my day doesn’t go as I have planned it… If I have committed my work to the Lord, then God has my plans and HE will direct my path.
Extremely well said Ryan and very, very honest. That is what I like about you (one of them). You are willing to relearn and rethink. Thanks for sharing the verses also. They were beneficial to me.
Just reading your words here today, Bill, makes me realize that giving up “control” is something I have to do each and every moment of every day. Yes, I might say I trust God, but do I when it comes to leading me in His direction and in His time?
Another reason for repentance!
Blessings!
I would say a hearty AMEN to that Martha.