The Ultimate Guide to Life

Much of my time and energy is spent trying to figure out what God wants me to do.  Perhaps this sounds strange, but I’m one of those people who is always thinking and processing.  I also run a small speaking and writing ministry so I feel the need to have a plan.  There are business bills to pay, requests to grant, and projects to complete. At the same time, I have a gazillion ideas swirling around in my head and a genuine desire to serve the Lord. The result: praying, planning and plotting… and times of frustration.

But, today I experienced an important reminder.

God will direct my steps when I entrust them to Him.  How do I know?  Well, His word tells me so. And, I lived it today.  Right in the middle of my every day, ordinary life, I had the chance to minister to at least two people. There were no prior thoughts or planning.  The opportunities simply appeared – directly in my path.  Once at Kroger as a hurting employee shared her worries. And once through a series of events that resulted in a stranger calling me – a stranger who had recently experienced the death of a daughter.  A stranger who stated that she was struggling with her faith.  A stranger who needed to be encouraged. 

In those moments, I responded and I was blessed.  I was renewed, refreshed and encouraged.  I needed the reminder that the plans for my life aren’t some big mystery that God plants and then leaves me to figure out.  Instead, I just need to walk with Him one day at a time.  He’ll show me what to do. He’ll open doors and opportunities.  I can relax and trust Him to point the way.

Where are you today? Perhaps you’re like me and always trying to help God along with His plans.  Or maybe you fall to the other end of the spectrum and are oblivious to the ways that God is working around you.  We’ve probably found ourselves in both places (and somewhere in between) at some point in our lives.  Let’s remember that God has a plan for each of us.  And He will shine light on the path in due time.  We can relax and enjoy the beauty of the day and the journey when we exercise trust in Him.  He doesn’t want our striving and struggling.  He wants hearts and hands are that are ready and willing.

My challenge for each of us today is that instead of offering God our abilities that we give Him the gift of our availability.  He’ll use us for His glory when we do.

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