Direction: Truth for the Next Step in the Journey
What Next?
At some point in our lives, we find ourselves standing at a crossroads, looking out over unfamiliar terrain without a map or a compass, or even any idea how we arrived. If you've been there,then you know that feeling of uncertainty and the fear that can paralyze. A barrage of questions assaults your mind robbing you of the confidence you once had. You look around for a road sign or someone to give you direction, but you are alone with your questions. What do I do now? Which way should I go? What do you do when your plan doesn't quite work out like you thought it would? Which way do you turn when life throws a rock into your windshield, leaving a small crack that threatens to shatter your entire view? We want it all to make sense. Knowing the next step of the journey feels good. Safe. Easy.
Walking by Faith
With control being the biggest illusion of all, faith must be our constant companion for the journey.If you find yourself unsure of the next step, panic creeping into your spirit, and a full-on freak out threatening your once comfortable life, stop! Be still and take a deep breath. Stand in the presence of God and soak up truth like a tree with its roots deep in the earth.God's truth is what sets us free from fear, gives us direction for our journey, and leads us to faith in our Father.
You are His
How easily we forget that we are not alone, that we have a loving Father who sees all, knows all, and loves us completely. We are not orphans fending for ourselves. On the contrary, we are daughters of the King and heirs with Christ. We are not required to earn his favor or his blessing because we are loved, accepted, worthy, and secure. We are not slaves to fear, because we are his children.I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. John 14:18 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
He is Good
Yes, God gives us opportunities to trust him, times when the next step seems unclear, but he is good. Part of his goodness is his presence. He promises to walk this journey with us. We have every spiritual blessing in him and his wisdom is there as we ask for it. How many times do we worry and fret and forget to pray for his wisdom and his answers?If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11
He's Got This
No matter what, God's plan is best. Think about it. You are his and he is good, so it would make sense that he would have a plan and a purpose for you. You can place your faith in the perfect love of God because he's got this. This world is spinning because of his faithfulness and his grace to us.For I alone know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope ad a future. Jeremiah 29:11In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9If you are standing at a fork in the road or even at a perceived dead end, don't lose heart. Your creator sees you and he sees something you can't. The rest of the journey. He sees what's around the curve, over the bridge and across the next mountain. You are his and he is good. His plan is part of his goodness and can be trusted. He invites you to come to him for comfort, wisdom, and peace. He's got this.Soak up his truth and rest in it.