Directed

The older I get, the more I am aware of just how much I don’t know. Life is filled with uncertainty, and no amount of education, wealth, or status can change that. We aren’t blessed with the ability to see into the future or get a glimpse of what is to come.

I like to plan.

One of the things I’m good at is being able to look at a goal or a project and be able to see any potential pitfalls or weaknesses. In my work as a worship pastor, I can see where there might be a trouble-spot in a certain song we are playing that day, or an element in the worship service that might not go smoothly. I can foresee it and make sure we have the necessary fail-safes in place. Unfortunately, we can’t prepare enough for what life might throw our way.

No amount of planning can get us ready for the unknown.

As a follower of Jesus, I trust and believe that everything in my life happens for a reason and I can have faith that God is working it for my good.

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

— Psalm ‭37:23–24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

Every time I read those verses, I am filled with an amazing amount of peace. I can know that God is directing my steps currently has directed my past steps. Even my missteps are taken into account by God, and He never lets me fall.

There’s not enough planning or preparation that can replace that kind of peace and certainty that comes from knowing God is in control and my life is in His hands.

What a Beautiful Name

Jesus… we hear that name many times a day. Sometimes as a word held in high esteem, and sometimes it’s used as a swear word. Either way, we hear it often.

For me, that name represents so much more than just a “good teacher” that lived 2,000 years ago and taught a message of love and forgiveness.

For me, that name means everything.

It means freedom.

It means forgiveness.

It means hope for tomorrow.

It means love really does conquer all.

It means God came down to rescue humans.

It means Someone is in control of this crazy world.

It means nothing can tear me away from God’s love.

It means Emmanuel… “God is with us.”

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Who's Got My Back?

Have you ever thought about what you would attempt to do if you knew with 100% certainty that you would succeed? What you would do if there was no chance you could fail? Would you feel confidence in a 2 on 2 basketball game if Lebron James was on your team? Would you feel confident that you could fight crime if Batman was your partner?

I think about that often. I dream and pray for certain things, but often that little bit of doubt creeps in and keeps me from going all out for it. I know I’m not the only person to struggle with this. None of us want to fail or fall flat on our faces. Fear of failure can paralyze us and keep us from attempting anything that takes great risk.

The life of faith is one that requires us to take risks, leaps, and sometimes ask impossible things. If we're seeking God's face and attempting to follow His leading, there will be desires that He places in our hearts that we will want to see accomplished.

However, those gremlins of fear, doubt, and a worldly perspective can block us from ever seeing the Lord move in and through our lives.

The other day, I was preparing for the weekend service at my church and I was led to Romans 8. I’ve read this chapter more times than I can remember, but a statement at the end of chapter struck me in a way I’d never experienced before.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

— Romans 8:31 (ESV)

If God is for us… What a statement!

GOD. IS. FOR. US.

That would seem to imply that God is on our side. He’s on your side, and He’s on my side.

So I come back to the question: What would you do with your life if you knew that God was behind you?

If something instantly springs to your mind, then you need to start making it a serious matter of prayer. If through a process of spending time in God’s word and prayer you can say with certainty that this is something that aligns with God’s will as revealed in scripture, then you should start pursuing it. Don’t allow the fear of failure or the fear of making a mistake stop you. If this desire deep within you is something that is not contradictory to anything in scripture, then pursue it as if God is 100% behind you… because you know what? He is!

Jesus wants to do the impossible through your life. He has a plan for you, and He’s waiting for you to step out in faith trusting Him to be your support.