Plans, Steps, and God's Guidance
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Prov. 16:9). It is one of the mysteries of God that His guidance is not always straightforward. He often lets us make plans and decisions, then directs and redirects us step-by-step so we get to where He really wants us to be. Why doesn't He just tell me in the first place? I think it's because with the Lord, the lessons He wants us to learn in life are learned in the process of going somewhere, during the journey, not always before or after.
Proverbs also says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (16:25). We need to be careful when we think we know what is right and good for our lives. We are often wrong. Even if the Lord does not directly tell us what to do in a given situation, we must give Him the opportunity to input, to affect our decisions. This is exactly what James says in his epistle: "You ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'" (4:15). We must accept whatever answer the Lord gives us in response, for He always knows best.
I think that's why the Lord doesn't tell us up front: Because He wants to be closely and intimately involved every step of the way. He wants lordship over our every path and journey, not just every decision.
So dream and plan, but be careful to submit every part of the decision-making process and the journey to him. Your dreams and plans depend on Him to succeed, not on you.
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov. 19:21). May it be so in our lives.
Proverbs also says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (16:25). We need to be careful when we think we know what is right and good for our lives. We are often wrong. Even if the Lord does not directly tell us what to do in a given situation, we must give Him the opportunity to input, to affect our decisions. This is exactly what James says in his epistle: "You ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'" (4:15). We must accept whatever answer the Lord gives us in response, for He always knows best.
I think that's why the Lord doesn't tell us up front: Because He wants to be closely and intimately involved every step of the way. He wants lordship over our every path and journey, not just every decision.
So dream and plan, but be careful to submit every part of the decision-making process and the journey to him. Your dreams and plans depend on Him to succeed, not on you.
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov. 19:21). May it be so in our lives.
posted by Luke at 5:27 PM
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