Proverbs 16:1-3(NLT)
“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
I absolutely love this time of year, especially the month of November. Not only because it begins the holiday season with Thanksgiving, but it’s also my birthday month. Although it’s nice to get new things, I’m not really big on getting extravagant gifts, and to be quite honest, I’m a little uncomfortable with people going out of their way for me. My greatest joy is giving to others and knowing I’ve been a blessing to them in some way. One of the things I do to kick off the season is to take time to reflect. I give thanks to God for the people that mean so much to my life. I also do a little inventory work. I take stock of people and things that are weighing me down needlessly, because they are impeding my ability to be a blessing to others.
One year, I found it necessary to distance myself from a girlfriend I had known a very long time. This was such a difficult decision to make. Years ago, we instantly bonded and shared similar interests. She and I would have long conversations, talking and laughing for hours. As I matured both spiritually and emotionally, my calling became clearer to me, and I set out to do more for God’s Kingdom. I couldn’t ignore the voice of God, and although I was a little nervous, I knew I had to make some changes. My desire to please God caused other desires in life to shift and change as my purpose became more transparent.
My friend’s life was becoming more worldly, as she began to indulge vices that altered a sense of stability in her life. Our friendship began to wane. I knew that I couldn’t take her where I was headed. Her life’s plan was completely different than mine, and I had to release her so she could take that journey without my involvement. I wanted her to change so badly, but she’s stubborn and there was no convincing her to let the Lord guide her steps.
King David’s son, Solomon, tells the story so well in Proverbs 16, where he declares that even though we make plans for ourselves, it is God that has the last word. Heavenly Father examines what our intentions are, and if they are not in alignment with His plan for us, He doesn’t cast us away. Through the Spirit of Truth, God gently guides and leads us down the right path, but this is only if we want to be led. That’s the key! We must want God’s leadership, because He will never force us. If we don’t acknowledge His ways and trust Him with our whole hearts, we will not be pleased with the outcome.
Know that there will come a time in every believer’s life that he or she will have to let some people go their separate ways. They are not meant to journey forward with us, and their season in our lives is over. Allowing the relationships to persist is too costly to the purpose for which we have been called. Of course, we love the people who mean so much to us and letting them go doesn’t mean we don’t love them. We’re releasing them into the hands of God. But in terms of our walk in Christ, nothing can be more important to us than having God’s stamp of approval and doing what He has called us to do. When our goal is to please Heavenly Father, we will see every day as a celebration, for it is a gift to be able to draw closer to Him.■
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“He Will Lead You If You Want to Be Led” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2019. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.