Avoiding Detours

A few weeks ago I was listening to a message about the plans the Lord has for each one of us. The pastor brought out many great points about how the Lord uses the circumstances of life as one of the many ways He guides us along the path. As he developed the message, he quoted a statement a friend made to him several years ago, “The only thing harder than waiting on God is wishing you had.” Read that statement again and let it sink in…

As a problem solver, that’s part of my make up as a man, I often feel I need to do something, anything, to move ‘the plan’ forward. When I start to sense the urgency to do something, I know I’m suppose to do nothing and wait on the Lord.

This doesn’t mean you don’t do research, talk to people or think about better ways to accomplish a task. However, until the Lord directs action, we must concentrate on doing the last thing He asked us to do. Prayer is the key to waiting on the Lord.

You can not add on to your house without making sawdust, it’s no different in our lives. I have found when life gets messy, the Lord is hard at work in our situation. Each day we must make a decision to stay the course the Lord has charted for us. Isaiah 40:31 ‘But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.’ What do you choose to do today?

Blessings

Avoiding Detours
by Os Hillman

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

I turned off the interstate to get gas for my car. I was returning from a speaking engagement and it was very late. As I turned onto the road, I looked for the entrance ramp to get back on the interstate. It was dark and I could not see any signs. I made a turn to the right that appeared to be the turn I needed to make. I could see the interstate was next to the road. As I continued down this road, the interstate was on my left. It soon became obvious it was not the entrance road but rather a frontage road. I assumed it would take me to the next interchange.

However, the road soon turned away from the interstate. It grew darker and darker. The road became a dirt road. I realized I was not going to get to the interstate on this road. Being a bit frustrated that I had made the wrong turn, I turned around and went back, losing valuable time.

It is easy to make assumptions about the path we are on. If God’s Spirit has not enlightened our reasoning, we are inclined to make the wrong choices. Our choices seem right at the time, but later we discover these choices have led us away from God because they were based on our own reasoning.

Acknowledge God in all your ways today. Lean completely on Him to reveal His direction for your life. If you do so, He will direct you to the desired destination He has for you.