Renowned Presbyterian minister Timothy Keller once said, “The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God’s will to mine, but to mold my will into His.”
As I sat in church, I listened to an older and now wiser woman give her testimony. She revealed her lifelong journey that culminated in her submission to minister to sex trafficking victims. Her story was heartfelt, with details of regret as she avoided this call on her life. She had followed her own will and was led astray. Nevertheless, she remained prayerful for God’s direction. In the end, God revealed to her an individual who had founded a ministry such as she was being called to. God had “established her steps” and provided a way.
Proverbs 16:9 tells us that the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Amidst our questions and doubts, it is only through the Lord that our path is made clear. As we pray, let’s remember it is God’s will we seek. Through this prayer and obedience to God’s Word, God’s will is revealed.
As we contemplate our life decisions, we often leave this crucial step out. We alienate God from our plans and choose to follow our will rather than God’s—the One who possessed the knowledge and power to order creation into existence, the One who shows mercy to the undeserving, and the One who promises never to leave or forsake us.
As you plan your ways, don’t forget that the Lord establishes the steps you should take. Ask for His will to be done.
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God's direction and will always negates what we think we want. If only we would realize only His way will give lasting contentment. Thanks for the reminder.