Guidance

          Does God really care about practical details in your life?  Surely He has much more important things to do than to bother with trivial things like where you should work, helping you on an interview, directing you to your life’s partner, making a move and the like. Have you ever thought that way?  I know many Christians who believe in God and claim Jesus as his/her Savior, but when it comes to practical issues, God is just too big or He’s too far removed to be involved in daily decisions.

          I, on the other hand, was taught that God cares about EVERY detail in your life and WANTS to be involved in EVERY decision. He truly wants an intimate relationship with me…and more than anything wants me to rely on Him and depend on Him for every little and big choice.  Scripture bears this out in the Old and New Testament.  Joshua prayed and asked God to help him in many battles, even though he was a skilled warrior.  He even prayed and the sun stood still!! Jacob prayed when he was afraid to meet back up with his brother Esau; he had learned the hard way to finally ask for God’s protection and guidance.  Abraham prayed and even was bold enough to question God’s judgement and mercy when he asked for God to spare Sodom.  Joseph prayed when he was in prison unjustly. He waited on God’s timing at every turn. David prayed and asked for forgiveness when he realized his egregious sin after Nathan confronted him. He continually asked God for the next step and to guide His steps in His dysfunctional family.  The church at Antioch prayed and fasted, and the Holy Spirit made it clear that Saul/Paul and Barnabas were supposed to be set apart to go.

          When I graduated from high school, my home church, First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, had a special service in which graduates were honored.  Each of us walked across the platform to receive a hug or handshake from our pastor, Dr. Carter as well as the Youth Minister, Larry Lawrence.  Larry had been so instrumental in my life.  I would carry his teachings and influence with me as I went off to college.  One of the gifts included in our bag of goodies was a crystal key chain in a diamond shape.  I’m sure Larry’s secretary ordered it, but there was no doubt in my mind that HE chose at least the voice engraved on that key chain.  It was Proverbs 3:5-6. 

          As soon as I opened that gift, I immediately changed my key chain.  As I drove my lemon/lime Maverick around (with no air conditioning!!), I remember that key chain was so large that it poked my leg every now and then.  But that key chain did more than create a place on my leg.  That verse had been etched in my heart based on teachings from Larry.  I KNEW from stories he had told that God would direct your path and make His Way obvious if you only believed, prayed and sought Him.  I had heard Larry talk of his own experiences where God had done this; I had heard his wife, Anna, relay events in her life where God had moved.  I heard my pastor, Dr. Charles Carter, do the same from the pulpit.

          But did I believe it?  Could it be true in my life?  What about yours? 

          One of my favorite pastors that I learned from and served under was our associate, Ed Hoard.  Ed used to say, “People can argue with what you say.  People can argue with what you do.  People can argue with God’s Word, but no one can ever argue with your own experience.” 

          I had some things happen in my life growing up that made me know and believe that God would direct my path.  As I was about to graduate from high school, I prayed God would make it clear where he wanted me to go to college.  I asked him to make it in the state of Georgia – not too far from home – and a place that where I could learn to be a teacher, if that was indeed His will for me.  I put these stipulations before Him, but more than anything I prayed for His plan and will for me.

          Several months before graduation I was sitting in a Calculus class having a casual conversation with other peers and my teacher, Mrs. Wade.  She mentioned Georgia College in Milledgeville where she went – and said it used to be the Teachers’ College.  Immediately, my interest was peaked.  She was an excellent teacher; the college was not too far away.  I had other friends who already knew where they were going…UGA, Tift, etc.  After doing more research, I told my parents that I wanted to visit Georgia College.  I continued to pray God would make it obvious.  Mom and I drove down one day during my spring break.  We weren’t out of the car good until a truck drove by with some workers whistling and yelling obscenities.  Mom immediately said, “Get back in this car.  You’re not going to school here!”  She wasn’t joking!!  I had to do some talking to convince her that we couldn’t judge the town/college on that one initial experience.  After we walked around and took a tour, I knew in my spirit, this place was where God wanted me to go.  Even though we couldn’t find a place to eat lunch, even though everything wasn’t quite perfect, I had a peace in my spirit and God made it obvious.  I thanked Him and Mom did as well.  I remember being ecstatic driving home about a new chapter around the corner. 

          This story of God’s direction to the right college is just one of many in my life as I reflect back on God’s faithfulness.  How about you?  Do you have a big decision to make about your career?  A move for your family that you’re not sure about?  Maybe it’s something with your child…should they join a certain team, play a sport or musical instrument or ?  Possibly just changing doctors?  So many decisions we make in life!!  I knew and still know that I don’t want to make them on my own.

Psalm 118-:8-9 Reminds me that “it’s better to trust in God than humans…even a prince!” 

          Are you being wise and consulting Your Maker or are you making a list of pros and cons?  Weighing what seems best?  Sometimes God works through our own intellect and what seems obvious. Many times, family and friends who are well-meaning may all be in agreement, but that doesn’t mean it’s God’s will.  So be wise who you go to for counsel.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me clearly “lean not on your own understanding”.  What that means to me is even when it seems logical, even when common sense tells me to do one thing, even when many in my circle that I trust and consider wise tell me one thing, I need to consult God and ask, “Is this what you would have me to do?” 

          All I know is I can reflect on my life and KNOW that God has directed my path numerous times.  He has made the path evident when I’ve cried out to Him. I’m humbled and beyond thankful.  The picture on the cover or static page of my blog was not chosen randomly.  If you look closely, there are two paths.  One is more shaded; the other has the sun brightly shining on it.  That picture is an analogy for my life with the Lord.  Whenever there has been a crossroads, and I waited and prayed and cried out to Him, He was faithful and illumined my path.  And I’ve had the comfort and peace to KNOW I was on the course He ordained for me.  There’s no better feeling in the world!

          I have many more life experiences to share where God came through; He made His will obvious.   My favorite story of that is how He was faithful in leading me to my husband.  It’s a God-story for sure; one that only HE could’ve pulled off.  That’s for next time…until then, I pray you are seeking Him and waiting on His timing and answer before stepping out in your own strength and logic.  Even as many times as God has been faithful to me, I still have to remind myself to go to Him…and not do what I think is best. I pray the same for you, my friend.