Often we say that we seek the Lord’s direction in our lives and wait for instruction on where we should go or what we should do. In these circumstances I have found myself wondering if I could possibly miss the direction I have been given. I wonder what that direction would look like and whether I will be open to its influence when it comes. Recently I have been seeking more than ever that direction from my Father in Heaven, helping me to know who I should be and where I should go. In these decisions I need to make I have felt his peaceful influence calming my spirits but rarely feel that I have received direct answers or direction. I would like to be told which direction I should go clearly so that I may not mistake or question.
Both fortunately and unfortunately that is not the way revelation seems to work for me. I have found the pattern of direction comes much more subtly. I ponder and search out which direction I should follow and make the best decision I can, then I can take that road knowing that if it be wrong or off in any way He will correct me. And correct me He has.
In one experience I had made a decision to take a path that I thought right and good and at the time I believe it was. But then circumstances changed and another pathway opened up to me. So through much prayer, pondering and fasting I determined that the Lord was directing me down this other path. Assuring me along the way that this was where He wished me to head. Thus I adjusted my course and the promise of peace and reassurance came. During this time I discussed this decision making with a close friend and he described the change as a road block. I thought about that for a moment feeling that his description was not quite right, but rather it was more like a rail change; a shift in the track that I was on and meant to follow. As I continued to move down the track towards a worthwhile goal the Lord was able to make the rail shift that would take me where He would have me go.
Most times I believe our Father does not put road blocks in our path to stop us cold when we have chosen incorrectly. Only in dire circumstances of danger or sin would that abrupt halt occur. Rather He asks us to power our lives down the track toward Him in the best way we can manage and He will arrange the rest. Whether it takes a rail change now and then, taking us over bridges or through tunnels He will ensure that we arrive at our destination safely and with the necessary preparation to be comfortable then. All the twists and bends in the route may not make sense to us in the moment, but I am certain that He is in charge; and each bump in the road is preparing us for that which we will need to accomplish later down the road.
It takes patience and great trust to allow Him to take over the grand direction of our lives. But I have found also that it takes a balance of allowing Him to direct and not failing to act for ourselves. The key to relating our lives to a railway is that we must start the train down a path before He can switch the rails. WE must be in control of beginning the journey, keeping the momentum going strong and being sensitive to those subtle changes in the path. We know it will not be easy. But we know that it will not be lonely, if we invite and allow our Savior Jesus Christ to travel with us. He will never let us down, He will never leave us, and He will never let us fail if we remain worthy to have Him continually by our side.
No comments:
Post a Comment