“He gives us just enough information to help us move forward one step at a time.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 6, 2022
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
My mother talks in details. If you meet her, she probably won’t just tell you she purchased fabric for her latest wall hanging. Instead, she’ll tell you why she purchased the fabric, who she was with at the store, when she did it, and how much it cost.
She might say something like, “You know Mary? She’s my neighbor who is married to the plumber and she has a schnauzer. Anyway, I went shopping with her today for two hours and I purchased some fabric from the store around the corner from Judy’s house. You remember Judy, right? Well, the fabric has a sort of blue background with an orange pattern running through it. I just love patterns. I make a lot of quilts using them. You should try it. Anyway, the fabric was on sale, $2.99 per yard. Great deal!”
I once heard on a radio program that my mother is a “circular communicator‚”—she starts with a topic, talks in a circle while adding details and then, in conclusion, she ties all the information together in a verbal bow.
In years past, I wished God was more like my mother, that He would give me more details about my purpose and show me all the specific goals I needed to set to get where He wanted me to go. I was certain more knowledge would guarantee I wouldn’t ruin my future by stepping out of His will.
Sadly, many people are like I was. They assume the Lord needs to give them the entire picture of how their life plan will play out before they set goals or move forward in what they feel is their purpose. Because they are afraid and don’t trust that God is in control, they demand to hear from Him in the same way that my mother talks in details. “You will become a doctor. You will go to college at Harvard where you will study brain surgery. After that, you will move to Houston, Texas, where you will immediately become a part of the staff at M.D. Anderson. You’ll stay there your entire career until you retire.”
Granted, God can do anything, but my personal experience and the experiences of biblical saints reveal that God doesn’t give all the details at once while we are fulfilling our purpose or God’s plans. Instead, He often provides just enough information to help us move forward one step at a time. This helps our faith grow.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t set goals. Instead, it means we need to trust Him to lead us into the unknown, and that we may need to reevaluate and change our goals as He gives us more information. This is OK. It’s part of having a dynamic, collaborative and exciting relationship with Him. Can you imagine if we had the future all figured out? Life wouldn’t be as amazing.
As you progress in God’s purposes and plans for your life, He will reveal more information to you one step at a time as you move ahead. Keep an open dialogue with Him, pay attention to the road signs He provides along the way and listen to Him speak to you through His Word, circumstances, other people, and the Holy Spirit. Then you can be confident that He will show you when you are in—and out—of His will. And remember, He is holding you steadfastly in His hand. You are never out of His care.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).
Prayer
Lord, I will trust you as I move forward. I don’t know exactly how the path will unfold, but because you made me with specific gifts and talents, I know you want me to use them. I know you will get me where I need to go as I listen to you and trust you, Lord. Amen.
Application
Talk with the Lord about what you learned today.
Related Reading
Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 100:5; John 16:13
Worship Resource
Michael Ketterer & Influence Music: Spirit Lead Me
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