Directions Please!

Now what do I do?

I am not sure where this sign is located, but it does illustrate my thoughts for today.

Have you ever gotten to a place where you are not sure which way to go next?  There will be times in our Christian walk when we find that we have reached the end of a trail and need to chart a new course.  It seems to me that God doesn't always want us to keep going in the direction we have been going - maybe because we have become too comfortable on the road we have been on, perhaps we missed a turn a ways back, or it could be that He just has something new in store for us.  Whatever the reason, we all reach a point in life where we need directions.  I find that Proverbs has a few things to say about this quandary, like in chapter 3:5&6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  Note the plural "paths".  There will come times of change in life.  Also note that we are to trust and acknowledge Him - that is to have faith and give Him recognition for what He has done and plans to do in our lives.  When was the last time you did that?

It would appear that we may need a change of direction from time to time in order to walk in His will and accomplish that which He has ordained for us to do.  But it is up to us to "...trust and acknowledge Him" if we hope to get proper directions.  While it is true that you are to "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established" (Proverbs 4:26), it is also true that God too is pondering our paths as seen in chapter 5 verse 21 "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths."  Now with all the things God has to take care of in this universe which He created, isn't it interesting to discover that He is taking the time to ponder the paths of man.  Wow!  Did you get that?  He is pondering - seriously considering with intent - your next step.  Are you?  What direction are you going?  What are you going to do next, and why?  God has some pretty big plans for you.  Have you checked in with Him lately to find out what they are?

Too often I think we tend to leave God out of our planning process.  Many times we get an idea; perhaps bring it before a committee, or our family for discussion (or not), and then go out and do "whatever" we have in mind to do without ever asking our Father what He wants us to do.  Our best example in scripture of course is Jesus who was always found praying for the Father to lead and strengthen Him.  How is it that we so often fail to do so ourselves?  I think we take the gift of a free will to literally mean that we are free to do whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it.  But really that gift is the freedom to turn to God or not to.  If we are not turning to God, then the only alternative is to turn away from Him, or  attempt to go around Him.  That doesn't sound like the best plan, now does it?

My Bible says He knows the plans He has for us, and it's all good stuff.  So the next time you find yourself at that point of uncertainty, check in with your Father to see what He wants you to do.  Don't let that bend in the road be the end of the road!  Make the turn when He tells you to, and be prepared for your new adventure to begin.  He will never let you down.

Later.