Walking in His Will

Walking in God's will for our lives isn't always the easiest thing to do. Often times understanding what He is asking us to do can be challenging, and even when we are sure we know what we're supposed to do, we sometimes have to push past our desire to either do it our way or ignore His instructions completely and run the other way fast!
Sometimes when God asks me to do something I struggle with surrendering my will to Him. Even though He has shown me time and time again how much He loves me;  for some reason I believe that I know more about myself than He knows about me. Which I'm certain makes Him grin and think "Oh, Lori, what will I do with you?" 


These days so many people live their lives enveloped in noise; stereo and television, or from behind a computer screen; noses firmly planted into social media, totally penned into the thoughts of others. Those thoughts become our thoughts and before we know it, we miss His thoughts and His plans for our lives. Instead we stare blindly at poster after poster, inventing our own interpretation of  the wisdom they carry and forgetting to put everything past Him, forgetting that anything we read or see, should align with His word or be discarded. The best advice I was ever given concerning the word of God was simply, "Don't read books about The Book, read The Book. 

When we overthink things instead of turning to our maker for advice, we not only miss that wonderful advice, we miss the gifts He has for us.  

Remember Abraham? Although He was madly in love with God and desperately wanted a son, he was very skeptical of God's promises, which was infuriating to both his wife, Sarah and God.  Maybe, he was afraid that God's promises were a mistake, maybe God was confusing he and Sarah with a different, younger couple. Or maybe he didn't think he was qualified for Gods plans at all, after all he was older and had made mistakes in his past. 
The truth is, God loves us in a huge way, and there is nothing we can do about it! Running from Him and His will for our lives, changes nothing, it only prolongs our discomfort and His. He is our 'Good, Good, Father, and He loves us more than any really great earthly father ever could, and that's a lot!

He knows what lies ahead for us, so He has already made plans and prepared a way for us. His plans are always better than any we could ever make for ourselves. So knowing that, why do we run and why do we ever worry?   

Matthew 6:34(ESV)

34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Five years ago the Holy Spirit began prompting me to 'Go home.'This came at a strange time in my life; my mom had just died, so there was really no reason for me to change my entire life around and move back to a place I hadn't lived in nearly forty years. It made no sense at all. Despite my own reluctance,  I soon found that the desire of the Holy Spirit was firmly planted within me. I was going. There was no getting around it. 
Although my friends and family couldn't understand this sudden desire on my part to change my life so drastically, I felt like I was being pulled by my umbilical cord to the place where I grew up. I have since learned that when I am walking in His will for my life nothing or no one can prevent things from going the way He wants them to go.

Isaiah 43:18(ESV) Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 

As with all of us, there seems to be no end to a change of seasons. Franklin Graham says it is always "one thing after another." and that is the truth. When I try to handle things myself, it only seems to muddy the waters. When I try to run, there is no escaping, He catches me up in his huge loving arms and makes me all the more thankful for his mighty love for me. He has a way of reminding us and making us cognoscente of the fact that we can do and be nothing without him; yet at the same time, we can do all things with him! He is always a gentleman, incapable of lying, a gentleman who watches over his flock and always keeps his promises. 

The move home has meant a great deal of independence for me, and some very interesting moments embracing my growing up years. I have had the opportunity to revisit and remember many people, places, and things. I have experienced joyful moments as well as some painful and very difficult ones. 
Jesus has been with me through each and every one of them; encouraging me, coaching me and giving me instruction and the words to say many, many times. My relationship with Him is like none I have ever experienced in my life. In spite of all of the hardships, I have obeyed him and I consider each and every moment, no matter how wonderful or difficult it has been, a great blessing to me. 
He shook me up, opened my eyes, and placed me in the loving care of people who have tutored me in His ways. He has displayed His sovereignty for me to see with my very own eyes and He has whispered things to me that only He could have known. 

It has been an amazing and overwhelming five years of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

To anyone reading this who doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I urge you to reach out to Him. Talk to Him, He will hear you and He will listen. 

John 20:28-30 (ESV) 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29. Jesus sad to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  
  
Walking in His will may be difficult at times, but the rewards & adventures are priceless.
What are you waiting for? 

Good Good Father, Chris Tomlin