The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)
Life is a journey. Along the way, there are many choices to make and roads to choose. There are doors that should be opened and doors that should remain closed. How do we navigate our journey and determine the path we should take?
Though God created us in his image and endowed us with amazing gifts and talents, we were never meant to be in charge of our lives or to go our own way. That certainly is an option which many choose to their detriment and peril. God created us for intimacy with Him. He designed us each uniquely and crafted us with specific detail, longing to lead and guide us into paths He has made for us to walk.
He didn’t make us robots to follow some great cosmic computer program. Instead, he made us sons and daughters and imparted to us his creative DNA. He placed us on a grand adventure and has provided us with many tools for our journey; books and maps, artifacts and clues. More than anything else, he has gifted us with His Holy Spirit to be our Encourager, our Comforter, our Adviser and Guide. You and I will never be able to figure things out on our own (Proverbs 20;24; Jeremiah 10:23). That’s okay. That’s the stuff of God. Our part is to commit our way to Him, to ask for His help and guidance, and to do the very best we can.
So pray about everything. Commit all that is in your hands and care to the Father. Cast all your cares on Him, trusting that He cares for you and will aid and offer you assistance. Commit your path to Him and trust that as you do, He will guide you. He will open some doors and close others. There is no question that you may take a wrong turn from time to time, just as you do on any journey. Yet, God is there to lead and to offer you direction and guidance.
As you commit your path to God, and cover your life in prayer, walk forward in trust and confidence. Do the next right thing you know to do and then the next. And keep on doing it. Be brave. Walk in trust and courage and by all means never quit. The outcome is never determined unless one quits.
Be wary of people who act like they have all the answers and represent that they have life figured out. What I do know is that life is a grand adventure and, as with most adventures, it is filled with fun and fulfillment as well as the unexpected. And certainly there are both danger and mystery. The greatest mystery of all and the point of it all is the One who created it all. And this is ultimately both the point and the end of our journey, the arms of our Heavenly Father.