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With so many options and paths in life that we can take, how do we know which is the right one?
This is something I’ve been struggling with, and just the other day, completely out of the blue, a friend txt’d me this Bible Verse.
Proverbs 16:1 (New Living Translation)
We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.
I, as many people are, am a control freak when it comes to my life. Otherwise, I’m a free spirit – just ask anyone that’s seen the inside of my 4Runner. But, with matters concerning my life like my job, goals, relationships, etc. I tend to want to control them. I do this even knowing that I’ve failed at it time after time (cue Cyndi Lauper).
The purpose, the goal, is that my plans should be rooted in the desire to attain God’s purpose for me. It’s not that my plans are meaningless and God has the final say – even though He does. It’s that I should seek to walk the path He’s created me for, and if so, then Proverbs 16:3 is a reality I can expect.
But, the real kick in the teeth for me was what I read in this verse.
Proverbs 16:25 (New Living Translation)
There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
That did it, that got me all messed up. The Message paraphrase a goes as far with this verse as to say, “it leads straight to hell.”
First and foremost, this isn’t talking about physical death. I mean, come on…in that regard, don’t all paths end in death? Rarely is the death spoken of in the Bible physical death. The death here is Spiritual; a separation or wedge between yourself and God. This is the only death a follower of Christ should fear. This death is the birth of Hell.
But this verse really messes me up because it says that there will be “a path before each person that seems right.” Yet, that path will lead you to a the death of your Spiritual self. It will drive a wedge between you and God. That path, as perfect as it seems, will be your downfall. And every single person will stand before this path at some point. No one’s exempt. Not even Jesus Christ a!
WOW.
This is what I’ve been struggling with lately. A fear that I’m going to jump at an opportunity (yet to even arise) that will seem perfect, yet lead me to destruction. I hadn’t even known that verse, yet I was battling the issue already. And it’s an issue I’m sure others are battling as well.
This is the reason my decisions have become all the more calculated. I don’t much act in haste like I once did. I’m amazed at my growth, and the last thing I want is to trade that away for a temporary triumph.
And that rings true with something Andy Stanley said the other night, “Don’t trade what’s important for what’s immediate because you’ll never know what God would have done on your behalf had you just trusted Him.”
Awesome.
I’m trying hard to walk the path God has purposed me for, even though right now, I’m not sure where it’s leading. My goal is to stay focused and align my plans with His. My idea of success has greatly evolved. It’s not about fame, fortune and women. I’ll leave that to Tony Montana. Success for me is finding God’s purpose for me. I’d trade my life’s financial worth for the joy of waking up each morning knowing that I’m where God wants me to be and I’ll be blessed accordingly.
I know many of you aren’t “Christians,” and I hope you know that I love you no less as a friend. I do hope that you’ll truly seek your heart for purpose and that you’ll never settle for a 2nd rate life.
Psalm 20:4-5 (New Living Translation)
4 May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
There’s great joy to be had when our plans align with His. And great success to follow.
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