Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Step by step

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9


Throughout countless situations in my life over the years, I have seen the truth of this verse. From picking a college and then a major, from relationship decisions to career choices, from summer plans to living situations, I have made my plans and the Lord has accomplished His. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Again and again, I have been frustrated as the Lord has upset my plans and the way that seems right to me. And yet, again and again I find myself  abundantly thankful because the Lord truly does know best. How comforting to know that the God who "works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) is also the God who "establishes" our steps (Psalm 37:23).

Proverbs 20:24 says, "Man's steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way?" After years of trying to understand my own way and pursuing "the way that seems right" to me, I can honestly say I take great comfort in knowing that it is the Lord who directs, establishes and ordains my steps. I am content to trust in Him with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding but allowing Him to direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 God knows of all of the days that were planned for us "when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:16). Today, may we confidently trust in His character, purposes and plan. May we entrust our steps to God's leading and seek His guidance, trusting that He has a plan to prosper and not to harm, to provide a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Monday, November 16, 2009

Fragmented Lives

"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think - according to the power that works in you - to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21, HCSB).

This morning, I feel very fragmented. It is Monday again and I have numerous projects scattered around the office and the house that need to be taken care of. Things like writing projects, emails to respond to, messages to prepare, papers to grade, a shower that still needs a new shower pan, a computer that is with the Geek Squad being fixed, food to prepare for Thanksgiving, and well...the list goes on. Not too much different from the list that you have of things that need to be completed.

I am reminded that no matter how many broken pieces that there are right now, that God will use them all together for His glory. He still has a plan. He is still on the throne. He can make all the broken pieces come together into a beautiful story - much like a stained glass window.

Stained glass windows are dark until the light shines on them and through them. Today, let's commit together to let Jesus shine His light through out dark and broken lives. Let's let Him work our lives together into a beautiful masterpiece. Oh Lord, shine through me today to a broken world - let me share with one who desperately needs to know you.

"For we are His creation - created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, HCSB).