Seek ye First
Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
My Path keeps changing
Which door is it…
As we learn more about ourselves and how to become a Proverbs 31 woman, we are constantly challenged with new thoughts and ideas. Living the life of a Christian can feel as if we are driving through an endless road full of potholes attempting to dodge them, swerving from left to right. As a child of God, don’t be surprised when He changes directions on you. Just as we get comfortable, whether in our career or with our home life, He will suddenly close a door in our face and force us onto another path.
It’s easy to get confused and not understand all the why’s and how’s of God, but we must keep in mind that He is always looking out for our good. If something is not moving us forward in the way that God requires, He will take us off that path and put us on another one. A better one! Just because a door closes, does not mean another one isn’t standing right next to it.
I Really know Nothing
Holy Spirit lead the way…
If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you know that “seeking first the Kingdom of God”, takes an entire lifetime and beyond. Thank goodness we have eternity to figure it all out. As we get older and the longer we serve God, it almost seems like we know nothing. Speaking for myself, I have read the bible many times over, and yet, I still find scriptures that jump out at me as if I’ve never seen them before.
I believe that the Holy Spirit shows us things depending on what we are going through at the present moment and the meaning He wants us to learn, pertaining to the current situation. Our walk with God is a constant learning phase. One in which we will probably never fully understand. God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55: 8-9) and are far beyond our human understanding, suggesting that divine wisdom and plans are superior to our own.
Job
My thoughts are confusing me…
Job is a great example of how someone who loved God wholeheartedly, was protected by God, lived a very prosperous life and somehow everything he worked for, was destroyed in a blink of an eye. He lost all of his children, his livestock, his home and everything else he had built. His wife was the only one left standing, besides himself. Most people don’t understand that it was actually Job that caused it all to crumble around him. His faith became weaker over time and his prayers more fearful concerning his children.
Even though he felt as if he was doing the right thing and praying over them, he let too much fear and worry get in the way. We don’t know how long he stayed fearful, but it was enough to get the attention of Satan and open up the wrong door. Unfortunately, when Satan showed up, God allowed his presence to destroy all that Job had worked for his entire life. He was stricken with physical ailments, and his life was in complete shambles.
But through all of his confusion, tears and anger, he realized that God did not abandon him. He was the one that stopped trusting God. There isn’t a Christian alive that hasn’t felt the same way, when things don’t go like we wanted or planned. And the road with all the potholes shows up and we have to navigate our way through them all and learn to allow God to lead us. When the bible speaks of the narrow road versus the wide road, it acknowledges that the narrow road is a difficult one and not many will attempt to walk it, because of the complete trust that is involved with God. The wider road is the one that most people take with fewer complications and a sense of “freedom” to be and/or do what they want. Unfortunately, that is the wrong road and will eventually lead to destruction.
Restored once again
Thank goodness I figured it out…
As we read the words of Jesus, we learn that He wasn’t asking us to follow Him, it was a requirement. Jesus did everything for us so that we don’t have to suffer and die alone, missing out on the greatest reward of all…Heaven with Him. We cannot live this life on our own understanding, we must rely on the One who created everything…God! Once Job realized that he had lost his faith and trust, he quickly repented and got back on track and God restored all that he once had and even gave him double for that which was lost.
Do you also feel like you have traveled off the narrow road; changed direction without consulting God or thought you were doing the right thing? Here is a little secret, we all have! But the mercy of God is so great, He will show you where you missed it and get you back on track. Seek Him, pray and let God show you how to correct your thinking to align with His. Easier said than done and it can take years before we see where we missed the mark, but God is forever faithful, slow to anger and patient.
His love knows no end. He will never leave you even when you don’t understand it all. He is the Great Shepherd and we know His voice. When He calls, we should answer. Trust in Him to take you by the hand and lead you everywhere and in everything you hope for. But whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of letting go and thinking you can do it without Him. We were not created to be alone and “without God”. He is our Father and we are blessed when we stay close to Him. Always keep that in mind and don’t be another Job.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.”