Faith, not Fate

Many years ago, I just 'knew' that I was called to a church in a far away city. An opportunity existed there that was 'just exactly what I need,' or so I thought. Everything about it made sense to me! So, I made plans, gathered resources, and took a long trip to visit that church I was so sure was my new calling. Blinded my own desires I was about to walk into a deteriorating situation where I would have been hurt, caught up in circumstances beyond my control. Thankfully, during my visit the Holy Spirit made it plain to me that I was walking against the purposes of God. Nobody told me of problems, but I could not find any rest in my soul. I even started to be physically sick! After a couple of days in that city, I finally gave up my plans and accepted His. In the moment of surrender, peace settled over me and I returned home to settle down and serve! Months later, when I learned of difficult circumstances that had come to that church, I was so thankful that the Lord had spared me a terrible experience and I learned to trust Him even when obedience meant giving up a dream.


I do not believe in fate, but I am assured that if we faithfully keep step with the Spirit, that God always leads and guides us. The Word tells us that "If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37:23-24, NIV) We need to be cautious about trusting our own instincts, even our own wisdom. Peter loved Jesus and when he heard Him talking about going to the Cross, Mark says he "took him aside and began to rebuke him." (Mark 8:32, NIV) That Jesus would die the death of a common criminal, on a Roman cross, suffering such agony, and be in the will of God at the same time was incomprehensible to Peter! What purpose could such a thing serve? But the Cross was the plan of God! Peter's good intentions, but ignorance of the will of the Father, earned him a strong correction. "Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." (Mark 8:33, The Message)

It is important to guard against willfulness in our daily decisions by learning to have a heart that obeys without argument. We don't have to be paralyzed by a fear of walking out of the will of God! He's a big God. However, a stubborn heart or a failure to listen carefully will likely cause us to wander from the path He has planned.

I love the advice that is found in the 37th Psalm.
"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37:1-7, NIV)
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Father, I thank you for the promise that You will always guide us.
I am often tempted to live by my own wits and wisdom!
Keep me near to Your heart and give me the grace to reject the sins that dulls my hearing and clouds my vision.
My greatest joy is to do what You want me to do, to be where You desire me to be.
Make the way plain, Lord, and gently, yet firmly, keep me in the center of Your plan where there is great joy, wonderful peace, and blessings for this life and eternity.
In Jesus' Name, I ask this today. Amen.