The Long Way Around

'For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  Jeremiah 29:11

I know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up by the time I was thirteen (and probably sooner). And from that point I mapped out my course and set the wheels in motion to make it happen.  Of course at that age I didn't know much about God's will and how to seek His face for direction.  I knew that I wasn't planning anything bad so God should be okay with my choices.  What I didn't realize was that even as a child God had a clear purpose and plan for my life and was just waiting on me to ask Him for direction in order to fulfill His purpose for my life.  (If I only knew then what I know now maybe I wouldn't have had to long way around to where I am now).  Of course you're probably wondering what I mean by that. 

Let's fast forward a few years to 2012.  I bet you are all wondering if all the things I set out to do and become have come to pass.  My answer to that question is "not quite".  Here is what actually happened.  I graduated from high school number one in my class, went to college at Oklahoma State University but didn't actually graduate from college until I was thirty-six.  I got married and divorced and then married again.  Instead of being a teacher I ended up working in Human Resources and teaching got pushed to the back burner.  But instead of being disappointed by things not turning out the way I planned, I am glad for everything that happened in my life. God had a master plan.  It just took me a little longer see it. Better yet it took me a little longer to ask Him what that plan was.  As I look back over my life I find that only when I stopped being true to the person I knew I was did I stray away from the path God had for me.  I haven't yet fully arrived but I am a bit wiser. I realize now that 'God's thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are His ways my ways'  (Isaiah 55:8)   And even with this knowledge I still don't always asked God for His input in the major decisions in my life. To be honest I don't even always ask Him about the less important decisions in my life either.  (You would think that I would know better by now.)  And because of this I find myself in situations I could have avoided or at least handled differently. My life could be considered a primary example of the phrase that says, 'we plan and God laughs'.  All too often it takes us longer than necessary to arrive at the place God intended for us to be at all along.  Now this is not a place devoid of storms but it is a place full of love, grace and mercy, shelter, refuge, peace and joy because through it all God is with us.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. Walking in His will and according to His plan for your life is the best place to be. 

The Bible says 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5) So why do we avoid asking God to direct our paths?  I can't answer this question for you but I can tell you why I avoid asking God at times.  Mainly because I don't really want to hear what He has to say.  There are some things I know that He is going to tell me not to do or not to say but at the time the decision feels right.  I'm going to take that job because it pays the right amount of money even though it keeps me away from my family and church. I am going to keep dating that man or that woman even though the more I hang with them the further away from God and the church I seem to get.  In fact I would much rather be laid up on Sunday morning than driving across town to church.  If I go to church, he/she may leave me.  I'm going to continue to hang with that friend who is not a positive influence because if I don't I won't have any other friends and I don't trust that God will bring people of a 'like mind' into my life.  Someone who will encourage me to be a better person, who will be honest with me and call me out on my mess. And plus, I may miss out on all the latest gossip. So I continue on with my plans, ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit trying to steer me back on the right path. 

Now I know that I am not alone in this.  Many of us don't know any other way but to do it our way first and then allow God to whoop us into submission.  Today I want to give you something to think about - a new way of doing things.  Instead of doing things your way and making your own plans, try asking God first.  And when He responds contrary to what you have already planned just go with it.  This may sound a little crazy at first because maybe you think your life is working just fine doing things the way you are currently doing them.  Or maybe you are afraid that your life is about to completely change and you are afraid.  I read something the other day in the book 'On Mission with God - Living God's Purpose For His Glory' by Avery T. Willis, Jr. and Henry Blackaby and that 'You might not get to the destination you first had in mind, but you will get to HIS destination for your life - a far better arrival point then you had planned'.  And here's another secret that I will share with you, as you read His Word and allow it to change your life you will find that what you want for your life falls more in line with what God wants for you as well.  Funny how it works out that way.  Which is why I believe He says in His Word to 'seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).  God stands ready, willing and able to not only meet your needs but also give you some of your wants.  We only have to trust Him.  I will tell you one thing I know for sure, the longer you avoid seeking God first you will continue to take the long way around to where God wants you to be. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father:

Thank you for loving me and caring enough about me to allow me to come boldly before you asking anything, knowing that You will always answer me.  Right now I come to you seeking direction and guidance as I continue along this journey called life.  I know that I haven't always come to You first but I want to change all that.  I want to be all that you desire for me to be and on this day I surrender my all.  Help me to walk according to Your will and Your way.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.