On Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at Grace Adventures. If you ever get the chance to check it out, make the effort! For a weekend retreat, Sunday worship service or week long family camp……there are lots of options at this beautiful facility near the shores of Lake Michigan. www.graceadventures.org
I spoke about walking the Obedient Life. That is such a mystery for so many Christians. What does God want me to do????? I can’t begin to count the number of people that I’ve met over the last 2 years who were in some form of transition, unsettled, searching, discontent, ready, ready for a breakthrough!!! I’m very sure all of us have asked the Lord about the next assignment at some time or another. Transition and change are part of life, so we had better become accustomed to discovering how to determine that next step.
I admire people who have enormous amounts of faith to step out of the boat of familiarity into the unknown. Into the place that they feel God has called them to go. I think of Abram (soon to become Abraham) in Genesis 12 or Philip in Acts 8. These are two of my heroes for going when God called. But, even more than that is the fact that they never questioned!! After God called them to a seemingly big question mark, the next words are something like “so they started out”.
I like what Henry Blackaby says in Experiencing God. He discusses the importance of balancing the Bible, your prayers, the voice of your spiritual mentor and circumstances together to help you determine God’s direction. Always remember that the direction you are led will not always make sense. In fact, it has been my experience that the significant markers God establishes in your life are many times leading you into what might appear to be a confusing direction. Remember this important fact. There is always a greater purpose in mind that you are not initially seeing!
Go back to Isaiah 55:8-9. God’s ways and our ways are usually not in sinc. When he says jump our flesh says walk. When he says run, our flesh says sleep. You get the idea. Just because it does not make sense, does not mean God is not in it. How many opportunities do we pass by because through our human gogglesit did not make sense?? We could not piece it together so we took the safe route. The route of inaction. The route of status quo. I want more! My hearts desire is to act upon every action the Lord calls me toward without knowing the outcome!! I am sure his purpose is for my benefit so that is good enough for me.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11
That is one of the reasons why I love working among unreached people groups. I frequently feel completely helpless in determining direction because it is such an unkown, hostile environment to minister and there are no paths to follow. Here is the beauty……it makes me and our organization more dependant upon the Lord! That is God’s ultimate objective for each one of us. To get you and I to a place of total surrender. Psalms 85:13 ”Righteousness will go before the Lord, and he will make a path for my steps”
As you seek The Obedient Life, remember Abram and Philip. Don’t be afraid. Trust in His direction and take that step of faith. You will not regret it!
Greg
