UnCertain

It happens every day.  An unexpected event in someone’s life that sends them into a spin almost out of control. In the times we live in nothing it seems is certain. Families break apart, jobs are lost, possessions get destroyed.  It is no wonder that so many people are so stressed out.  The problem, however, for most people is that they are putting more and more pressure on themselves to figure it all out. Unfortunately this will just not work.   James 4:14 tells us that we do not know what tomorrow will hold and so it is foolish to try to plan ahead with our agenda. There is only on person who knows what tomorrow holds and that is God. The Bible is chock full of truth about where to turn and what to hold onto.

Trust in God’s knowledge-

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

God knows what is going to happen and has planned it out. Our job is to focus not on what our plans are but on how we can align ourselves with God’s plans and make His plans and our plans one and the same.  Too many times we get carried away by what the world tell us we need to do and get so far off the path God would have us on.  The tool of the moment is clutter. Our lives are so cluttered and we seem to not be able to get anywhere but don’t be fooled this is of Satan the more time he can get you to spend chasing worldly endeavors the less time you have to chase godliness and he knows this and entices you away deliberately.

Trust in God’s Direction-

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

The key to aligning ourselves with God lies in being sensitive to His direction. Obviously if we allow ourselves to be pulled from His word and from fellowship with Him we are not going to be sensitive to what He would want from us. God is not in the confusion business, rather He has a clear cut direction and path that he wants us to take. The issue we have is being willing to look for it.  Jesus Himself said the road would be narrow and the fact is the narrower the path the more difficult it becomes to navigate. Being sensitive to God’s direction will require sacrifice. We will have to give up on much of what we desire and in some instances choose to leave friends and family behind but the outcome is a life that is more pleasing to God.

It Starts in the Heart-

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. …

We have to come to a place in our hearts where we make a conscious decision that we will follow God. All the good intentions and lip service in the world will not do any good in these matters.  As a matter of fact it is intentions and empty words that have led to much of the uncertainty that exists in our world. These things have no worth without action and determination.  I think of athletes that are determined to be the best and as a result they order their lives in such a way to achieve that level of success.  Whether it be sacrifice or regiments or whatever is needed they do. If they choose not to then they will not achieve their goal. We as Christians need to make that effort. It starts in the heart. It is not until we have allowed God to transform that heart that we can begin to follow Him completely.

It continues with the mind-

Proverbs 1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm

Once we have made the decision in the heart the action begins to take place and we need to begin to devour the word of God and devote ourselves to prayer so that we may truly no Him. I would challenge that not only do we need to be reading the Word and praying consistently we need to be educating ourselves about spiritual matters.  There are many Christians who have neglected developing their spiritual life for far to long and know no more about the Bible than a child learns in Sunday School.  And it is not the absent church member that is guilty of this but also the church leader that has fallen short.  When we choose to not develop ourselves we do one of two things. Either we are saying we do not care or we are saying we do not need to because we are good enough.  Both options are lies straight from Satan and need to be put down.  We must learn to listen and listen close.

Through these things we can face uncertain times with certainty. God is in control and He is calling for us to follow……Can you hear Him?

What is He saying to you? What will you do about it?