"The Peace of Proper Perspective"
Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5
It's human nature to celebrate individuals who have vision. We love to hear the success stories of people who have forged their own way. Those who have been driven to create a new invention or discover new territory. Everyone is different. Some people are very driven and goal oriented. Others are frustrated because they feel like they have no goals.
It's important to have dreams. God places desires in our heart for a purpose. But it's extremely important to realize that those dreams are subject to God's direction at all times. Sometimes it's easy to get so goal focused and caught up in figuring things out on our own that we leave God out of the picture.
"Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business.' How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog - now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God." James 4:13-16
There's a part of us that wants to get everything figured out. We want to know the plan. We want to force it through at times. Sometimes we wrestle through difficult decisions, and in all of this we forget about the will and direction of the Lord.
There's a discipline of thought that needs to happen in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. In 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat approaches a difficult situation with the phrase, "we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you." The Lord would desire that to be our position in all circumstances. Complete dependence on Him. This does not mean that we are an indecisive people, but we are constantly subjecting our plans to his will. "If the Lord allows, we're doing this."
Why is it so important to take this posture? It's because is brings about humility. We truly subject ourselves to the Lord's leading. Too often what happens is I make a decision on my own, and you know what, things seem to work out. Then the next time I have more confidence in myself, then I make another decision... it doesn't take long before inquiring of the Lord is not even a part of the equation.
People don't necessarily "plan" on growing farther from the Lord, but it can easily happen because of this problem. Reliance on self. "...and such self-confidence never pleases God."
It's stressful trying to pave your own way. But think of the peace that comes with complete reliance on the Lord. There's a calm assurance in all things that He is in control. He will work things out. This perspective is the way we should live as we mature in Christ.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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