I usually like to share things because I feel like it can help other people, but today, I want to share because it's something that I've always struggled with and am now starting to change in my own life. Our devotion this morning begins with James 4:13-17.
We are nothing more than a vapor in the wind; our time on earth is nothing compared to God and the work that He is doing and will continue to do after we are gone. What this passage tells me is that God, being outside of earthly time, knows the path that He has prepared for me, and I need to trust Him to direct me. We can make plans all day long, but God is the one who determines the steps we take. The passage ends with a heavy statement, "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins." I know everyday I avoid things that I know I ought to do, but I don't tend to think of it as sin; it is.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust God and lean not on our own understanding. In everything we do we should acknowledge God for His grace, mercy, and the blessings He gives us. When we do that, He will make our paths straight. Proverbs 16:9 says that, "In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Isn't that a great thought? God knows each individual step that we are going to take, not just the major events of our lives. How can you argue with predestination with verses like this one scattered throughout the Bible? Maybe we should call it "predetermination."
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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."
I've always been a planner. I like to know what to expect and plan out all the little details of everything that I have any power to control. Over the past couple of years, I've learned that sometimes it's more exciting, and definitely demands more trust in God, to just go in faith believing that God is going to direct you on your path and lead you to greater things than you could have ever imagined. I'm guilty of over thinking and over planning when I could already be living even greater things out if I had just trusted God in the first place. This summer is an example of that in my life. My internship with House to House was something that had never been done before, and I wanted to know the details of exactly how everything would work out. I had been praying that God would do something great in my life and just let me see His will for my life...but I had been planning things out so much that there wasn't a whole lot of room for God to work in my own plans, but of course, He did. God put people along my path who have taught me about being faithful and how it is important to have accountability and someone to disciple you along the way.
Father,
I thank you and I praise you for this day that you've created and for every little detail that you have already planned out for me. You are so great and your plans for me are beyond anything that I could imagine for myself; help me to trust in you and live out in faith that I wouldn't do anything that I could have done without you. Use me for your glory and your kingdom.
I thank you for each of the individuals that you have placed along my path, especially this summer, and for the amazing impact that each of them have had on my heart and my faith in you, Father. I thank you for my family and for the support that they give me, as well as the discipline they provided that shaped me into the person I am. I thank you for the Common Ground Interns and their passion to serve you this summer. I ask that you would continue to give them patience and strength to handle every situation they face in the next two weeks. Father, show yourself to the kids at summer camp and allow them to fall in love with you and fear you. That is my prayer for myself, as well, that I might fall deeper in love with you while still fearing you and being in awe of your name and your power.
Father, without you, I am nothing. Forgive me of my sins against you and guide me to renew my heart and mind each day so that I can live to the best of my ability to do your will and glorify you in everything that I do in you.
I pray these things in the name of your son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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