THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE
Did you ever wonder how you got where you are today? I mean really, really wonder? Do you ever say, “ In all of my journeys and wanderings, how did I end up with the life that I currently have?”
I believe we have a divine path that God has set out for us before we were even born. I also know that God gave us free will when He created us because He didn’t want robots. He wanted us to interact with Him as He guides us along our divine path.
There are countless mindsets just within the body of Christ alone about who is in control of our lives. Is it us, is is God, or is it a little of both? Some of us believe that it is ALL in God’s hands while others are aware that their free-will choices will alter the path that they are on. This can be very confusing especially when we are floundering over what we should be doing or not doing during any given season or time in our lives.
Some believe that no matter what we choose that God will ultimately set us back on His path. What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you know where you solidly stand on this issue or do you feel like you aren’t sure?
I believe that an overview of the scriptures will direct us to the understanding that we have a choice between partnering with God on our path or pushing Him out. I don’t believe that we can push God out 100% and choose our path all along the way and still receive His ultimate, divine outcome for our lives. If we are constantly making our own choices of what we feel like doing as opposed to what He has for us, wouldn’t His divine plans be challenged? Our path will come with trials and challenges either way but most believers understand that leaning into God’s path will make life much more joyful, peaceful, and filled with His divine purposes for our lives.
If you invest time in reading the book of Proverbs the writer shares truths such as:
Proverbs 24:30-31 (AMP)
30 I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding and common sense;
31 And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns,
And nettles were covering its surface,
And its stone wall was broken down.
Most of us understand that we can’t just be lazy and do what we want or we will not fulfill our destiny.
Proverbs also warns us of the power of our words. We can not keep speaking unhealthy words toward ourselves and accomplish what God has called us to be:
Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
Watch what you speak as we see here it will alter or delay where God is wanting to take you.
What about the people who refuse to listen or consider wise counsel? Proverbs reminds us of the following:
Proverbs 19:3 (AMP)
3 The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];
Then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].
How many times have you blamed God for what was happening in your life or asked Him the question “why?” when you clearly made choices from our own heart or mind. Maybe you chose a path based on fear (fear of the future, fear of what people would think, fear that you may not succeed, etc.)
The list of why we may end up on a different path could be endless. You may have felt forced to make a choice at some point in your life that you weren’t ready to make. Someone may have made a life-altering choice for you when you were younger. You may have been affected by the poor choices of others for decades due to family dynamics or a one-sided marriage. The good news is that God promises us two important facts that we can count on! Number one:
Romans 8:28 (AMP)
28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
This is a promise even if WE were the ones who made poor choices. If we asked for forgiveness and choose to partner with Him on the remainder of our journey, He is faithful to cause all the events/situations/circumstances in our rear-view mirror to be utilized for our good moving forward. Number two:
Joel 2:25 (AMP)
25 “And I will compensate you for the years
That the swarming locust has eaten,
The creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust—My great army which I sent among you.
This Scripture gives us the assurance that we can walk away from ALL regret of our past choices. This includes all that we have been though and done and glide into our future knowing that our faithful God will restore and compensate us for all of it!
We must repent (change our thinking) and do things differently if we expect God to do His part. He is so loving and full of grace and faithfulness. Our God will continually guide us back on the path if we wander off of it. We can dialog with God about what we are doing, seek wise counsel, watch our words, learn from our past choices and trust that He will show up in our choices as we pray for His guidance.
Many people ask the question, “but what if I misunderstand what God is trying to say or do in my life?” If you interviewed some people who have walked their life path (even for a short period of time) with the Lord, they would tell you that He is faithful to re-direct any mis-understood steps when you are taking Him as your partner through life. I believe He honors the door that we step through when we think we are hearing from Him but we actually missed it or missed the timing a bit. He is a loving Father who is for us and not against us.
We are in a season as the body of Christ where we need to press in to ask God some questions and see if He is trying to show us something about our current path.
If you are someone who struggles with fear try to remember that the safest place to be is in the will of God even if that sounds scary. His grace is sufficient! This is my verse for 2022. May it bless you as much as it has blessed me!
2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)
9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me
I encourage you to walk through this year with God. Some suggestions on what this could entail would be:
Making the most of your time (be intentional)
Watch the words you are speaking (speak life-giving words and not gossip and curses)
Seek wisdom and counsel from a few Godly people who are where you want to be.
Shut down the voice of fear.
Repent for wrong thinking and take God as your partner on this journey through 2022.
The book of Proverbs is chocked full of sound wisdom to incorporate into your life. I challenge you to read it in multiple versions(translations) of the Bible. Reading multiple translations will expand your understanding of what the authors were trying to convey. May it challenge and encourage you this year as you seek God’s path!
For the Kingdom,
Donna