Remembering….

As Josh and I walked around the neighborhood today, I was excited to notice signs of spring. It has seemed like a long winter. Physically as well as spiritually, I have been longing for more warmth and light.

Perhaps you have heard the idea expressed, “When you are in midst of darkness, don’t forget what you knew to be true in the light.”

My son is training to become a pilot. On one of his flights, after he took off, a shield came into place completely obscuring his external view. He flew without seeing anything outside of the cockpit by recalling what he had learned and by relying on the plane’s instruments. No matter how disorienting it was to fly without visibility, he could not make decisions based on feelings. (The second pilot, his instructor, had full visibility and could assume control if a problem arose.)

When things in my life are difficult, I am tempted to make decisions or judge my circumstances based on feelings. Unfortunately, when it is the darkest, it is hardest to navigate my way. Lest I become disoriented and veer off course, I began a list to maintain my bearings for when the shadows of dusk loom and dawn comes slowly.

God will never leave me or forsake me.

God hears my cries, and He answers prayers.

I am loved by God.

God has a purpose for my life, and He will fulfill it. The enemy cannot thwart God’s plans.

The grand tapestry God is weaving is far grander and more complex than I can comprehend.

My Redeemer lives, and one day I will behold Him face to face.

My eternity is with God forever.

It’s easy to forget truth when we cannot perceive how God is working. Consider making your own list of truths to mark the way.  As you navigate through the darkness, remind yourself what you knew to be true when the light of Jesus was clearly lighting your path.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot extinguish it. John 1:5

Being Intentional

I have been wrestling with some questions lately. After discussing the topic with my 3 oldest children, this clouded issue became even murkier.

To what extent should I plan for the future or set goals?

Is there a difference between goal setting and being intentional?

When does being intentional become prideful?

Proverbs 16:9 NLT states, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

I don’t want to live the life God has given me haphazardly, yet after many attempts of planning things, I encountered God’s divine detours and interruptions of these intentions I thought were wise and good.

So I face a dilemma. How much time and energy to do I put into goal once I encounter obstacles and unforeseen circumstances? How much do I rest in the sovereignty of God that if He is behind the plan, it will unfold in His time and His way?

Proverbs 19:21 ESV reinforces the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

The outcomes belong to God. Maybe I think the goal is to do something, but God’s purpose is for me to become something. If I am focused on the goal or the intention, am I missing what is unfolding in my life now?

James 4:14-15 give us an important reminder -You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

But this leads to the other extreme. Do I just wait on the Lord and plan nothing? I wonder if some personalities who are initiators find this instruction nearly impossible while others who are responders, use it as an excuse not to take any action.

Clearly God is intentional in accomplishing His purposes. To what degree do I seek to be intentional since my desire is to become more like God?

How is obedience an outflow of being intentional? Can we build spiritual discipline without intentionality?

Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us that our God who promised is faithful. Then the writer instructs us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. What are your thoughts on this subject? If you comment, you don’t have to give your name or e-mail but you won’t be able to see you comments right away.