I really appreciate when God plans surprises. I can just imagine the angels standing around for the Big Reveal, biting their fist, an making little “oh, oh, oooh…” sounds as I get closer, and closer… the excitement building in the spiritual realm!
I have been walking with a frown now for too many days, as I am trying to think of ways to open doors, to find angles, to use networks… even my daughter asked if my head hurts, because my face is so scrunched…
Anyhoo… I am reading a book in-between studies and work and planning and missing the last 5 pages because my mind is not there, I am thinking and pondering, while my eyes read words that never reaches my brain.
As I turn over the page, between two paragraphs, all alone on the page is a quote:
Into Hard Places
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”*
Proverbs 3:5-6
Boom! Mic Dropped!
(Come on Seanie! You know this stuff!)
It is moments like this that give me peace. And make me extremely grateful for the fact that we have so many bible translations in English.
I could really climb into the verses of Proverbs 3:5-10, each translation I look at giving me a bit more clarity, a bit more peace.
Complete Trust (v5)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart (NIV)
Trust in the Lord completely, (TPT)
Rely deeply on God (v5)
“and lean not on your own understanding;” (NIV)
and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. (TPT)
Put God at the centre (v6)
“in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NIV)
Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.
Wisdom comes from Correct Focus (v7)
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (NIV)
Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. (TPT)
One of my big fears was that I will lean on my own judgement, making my own plans and trying to fix things My Way! But God assures me that If I trust in Him and Focus on the Kingdom and God’s love for all people, then He will not only guide my steps in any and every creative way, He will also ensure that my thoughts and plans already carry Godly wisdom.
The devil has been successful in stopping my progress because I am so afraid that I will try and do something outside God’s will. “Are you sure this is God? Is this your thoughts or God’s Instruction” or “If you get this wrong, everyone will think you are a fraud!”
But Fear is not from God (I have not given you a spirit of fear!)
Go Big! Step Out! Love Everyone! Use your Gifts! I will teach you as you go along! What if it bombs? Putin already bombed it… just start again!
Thank you Father, for the release!
