Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
It is really easy to make plans and as you are running out the door or leaving on the trip to quickly and flippantly ask God to bless your plans. God is so gracious and gives us free choice and allows us to plan our course. Just because God doesn’t stop us doesn’t mean that He will bless every step we take.
Paul directs us in 1 Thessalonians to “pray continually.” God is inviting us into a conversation that never stops, but has pauses between sentences. Before I say yes to a request, I am learning to stop and pray a short prayer inviting the Lord into the decision. Recently I have been leaning toward including some things in my schedule, but after pausing to pray I felt the urge to decline. Although God is gracious to help me when I make unwise decisions, I have learned it is much better to seek His wisdom and His will before I say “yes.”
Do you ever feel pressure that you have to give an answer right away without taking a few minutes to ask for the Lord’s confirmation? Unless I have time to seek the Lord’s answer and be a peace with His decision, I’ve learned to practice answering “no.”
There is someone reading this post today that is wrestling with a decision, and you are being pressured to say “yes.” You know that there is a cost involved in saying yes, and you are really paralyzed by the fear of “messing things up.” Specifically I believe that you are most worried about losing relationship, not the fear of failure. I urge you in this moment to quiet your heart, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and confirm what His will is. Pray and command any other voice besides the voice of God to be silent. Write down what comes to your mind, and then confirm it with one person in your life that walks with Jesus and will tell you the truth in a loving way.
I am praying for you now…
I bless you in the name of Jesus. I ask that the voice of God would rise above all other competing voices and speak truth to your heart. Thank you Jesus that you determine our steps. Help us to choose obedience and be faithful today. I believe that You will empower my friend to choose the right thing even when it is unpopular and unconventional. Speak confirmation to our hearts through your written Word and the witness of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Andrew Burchett-
Lead Pastor