Relax

"Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence." and "You are on the right path."  These two sentences from "Jesus Calling" have felt like a breathtaking sunrise coming up in my heart.  I spend so much time fighting the journey, doubting my every step, chafing under many of my circumstances that I forget the One who has designed this journey, who goes before me and stands along side, has written every page of my life in a loving and purposeful fashion.  Nothing has escaped His notice, nothing is outside of His wonderful, hopeful plan for me.

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  His plans.  Not mine.  Good plans.  Hopeful.  Fruit bearing, God glorifying, being a blessing, plans!!

Now, maybe at one time or another some of us have heard this verse, and even agreed with it....but taking it with us as we walk through our days of jobs, dishes, aches, pains, sick kids, difficult co-workers, failed marriages, too little sleep, disappointments, minor and major disasters....we tend to lose sight of it.  I know I do.  What I love about this type of God visit is the Lord's never ending patience and love that brings it to the forefront of my mind again.  Making it new all over again, illuminating the darkness of my tired heart.

Then our heavenly Father goes even further and loops this truth with another He has been filling my thoughts with....JOY.  The reference verse for this day's devotional was Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  But my eyes zeroed in on verses 1-3  Joyful  are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.  Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.  They do not compromise with evil and they walk only in His paths.  Stay on the path!!  Do not follow the path of the world, the path of your best friend, your brother or sister, mother or father.  Do not go off on your own....Stay on God's path for you.  Each step in truth.

What a encouraging visit this was.  I have some disappointments lately, feeling a little left out and rejected....so I needed to hear this, needed to know God wasn't leaving me out, He has a better and more personal plan for me than what I thought I should be doing.  Do I still hurt over not being included?  Yes, some. But I know God has a reason and I am at peace with that.  I am on His path and actually, it's been a blessing!

What's your path today?  Watch for the next step, not the next mile!  It's less overwhelming and most of the time all the Lord wants us to do.

Lord thank You for the path You have made for me.  Help me not to veer to the right or to the left of following You.  I know the plans You have for each of us is good,, whether we can see clearly or not, whether we feel it or not.  Even if everything in us, all human logic says no way, can't be this, it'll never work out....You plan good!  Lord, give us faith.

Can you trust God with the next step on your journey today?  Trust by choice, not by sight?  Lets give it a try this week!