God's Will Revealed

"He who forms the mountains,

creates the wind,

and reveals his thoughts to man,

he who turns dawn to darkness,

and treads the high place of the earth –

the LORD God, Almighty is his name."

Amos 4:13 NIV

We hear a lot about God’s will and most of us spend a good bit of time trying to decipher what his will is. We are often confused. Are we hearing God’s voice or our own voice? Then add to that mix the voice of Satan and we really are bewildered!

 

When I really get serious about knowing God’s will, the garden is the place I need to go. Sometimes I can’t hear the voice of God because everything that surrounds me is so distracting that I can’t even hear myself think. When I finally go to the garden, if I don’t try to talk God to death, I might actually be able to listen for his voice and try to discern his voice from Satan’s voice. If the words I am hearing are convicting I know those words are from the Holy Spirit. But if the words I hear are words of condemnation, then I know they are from Satan. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 NIV  If the words stir fear within my heart they are from Satan, but if the words I hear are bathed in love they are from God. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” 1 John 4:18a NIV

 

Even though I know in my head that God speaks words of love and truth, many times my heart is not ready to receive those words. I often choose to ignore his words of conviction and many times I second guess his words that command me to go and do. As I walk in the garden today I am seeking to know his will but I am also tempted to argue with God because I fear he is asking me to move out of my comfort zone.

 

Because of my guarded approach to the voice of God and the prompting of his Holy Spirit, I am totally missing the beauty of the garden. Peace seems to be as elusive as the butterfly that flutters over the lantana. I am totally preoccupied with getting my thoughts delivered to the Almighty. I want God to listen to me and see a few things from my perspective. I want him to be keenly aware that I have limitations. I want him to know that I lack certain abilities, and that I am a woman who is often driven by fear. I guess God has forgotten that I don’t take risks. The truth is I already have an agenda that is full of my own desires and dreams. I am walking down the path that I have mapped out for success and I don’t have much time to dilly-dally around with God’s experimental programs. I remind God that I know myself pretty well and I’m sure I have my own best interest at heart and the best interest of my family is always at the top of my list. God needs to understand that my will and my plans for my life have little room for flexibility or change. After all, my plans are not so bad. I am simply in pursuit of happiness.

 

But then the Holy Spirit stirs within my spirit and I begin to soften. My response is less hostile but still controlling.  “God, if per chance I should decide to take note of your suggestions for my life I will need a plan. From where I stand, having this plan in writing would be great. I will need facts and an organized plan of action, complete with charts and graphs that indicate projected success results. I need dates. I also want a guarantee that I will be happy with the end results. Lord, I really don’t think this is too unreasonable. I am simply being responsible. God, you gave me a brain and I am trying my best to use it!”

 

Now that I have said my piece, I guess I owe it to God, at the very least, to listen to what he has to say on the matter. I’m sure after listening to me he will see my point of view and is most likely going to agree with me. After all, God loves me and I love him. Then God speaks, “Paula, take off your shoes, you are on holy ground.” Instantly, my constant chattering comes to an immediate halt. As I look around the garden, I observe that there is not a burning bush anywhere in sight. Again I hear the authoritative voice of God and his message is simple. “Paula, it is not your job to try to figure out my will, it is however your job to pay attention and trust me! It is my job to reveal my will to you. I AM the one who gets to choose when, where and how I will reveal my plan for your life to you. I will unfold the details to you little by little, day by day.” In a matter of seconds my know-it-all attitude begins to melt as I find myself standing before my Creator. I am without a doubt on holy ground. I am sure that it is God speaking to me. In a holy moment my one sided prayer goes from a “me talking prayer” to a “me listening prayer”. God seems to silently suggest that I take out a notebook because it might be a good idea for me to take a few notes. God also lovingly reminded me that just like Jonah, if I opt to disobey and step away from his will for my life there will be natural negative consequences and I will also be robbing myself of his blessings.

 

I ask God, “How can I recognize your revelation?” God answers. “Ask me to direct your life and I will. Trust me that I know what is best for you even if it involves a bump in the road or pain. Allow me to take away your old desires and replace them with my new desires. I want your will to become the same as my will. I will put opportunity and people in your path if you trust me. I will encourage you to end relationships and activities that do not fit in with my plan for you. I promise you I will do my part IF you will do your part. Your part is to seek me, spend time with me, trust me with every detail of your life, and NEVER forget that I am good. Even when it seems I am not good you must believe that I am. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will guide you every step of the way!”

 

My mind tells me that I most definitely want the will of God in my life and that I don’t want to be anywhere that God does not want me to be. At this moment, I’m pretty sure that hanging out in a place where God does not want me to be is not a safe place. But like Jonah, my emotions begin to tell me that trusting God’s plan for my future may not be what I consider to be in my best interest. Satan now shoves his big foot into the door of my heart and begins to suggest fearful worst case scenarios! Of course, all lies! However, the truth is, when we belong to Jesus Christ the major winds of change in our life are God blown. We can choose to walk directly into the wind in an attempt to change direction and escape the will of God or we can move ahead with our back to the wind. When we choose to be blown forward by the breath of God and lead by his Spirit we will experience a life of blessing. If we walk directly into the wind we will be blown and tossed about like a wave on the sea. There will be no firm foundation and we will trip and fall as we struggle to keep our balance.

 

I find that my emotions have always been tied to my specific plans. In the past when those plans failed I was devastated. I did not understand that failure can be a very important part of God’s plan for my life. Looking back, if some of those plans had been carried out according to my will those plans would have placed me in the middle of disastrous situations. God has always known the path my life would take from beginning to end and many times his “no” has been his hand of protection. Still, God has allowed me to make my own mistakes while all along he knew that he had a better plan for my life that was grounded in blessing. My failure to listen to the voice of God resulted in God delaying or withholding a blessing that he had set aside and reserved just for me. Sure, because of God’s loving heart, he blessed me in other ways, but what about the blessings I may have missed? How many blessings have I forfeited?

 

Even along the path of blessing, not all things are pleasing. It is a common misconception that if we belong to God and follow his plans for our life we will sail through life with a smile on our face and problem free. The truth is that being a Christian does not entitle us to a perfect life. There are no guarantees for a wonderful stress free marriage, model children, perfect health, or a big bank account. It would serve us well to remember that God is not a wishing well or a good luck charm! However, God is our strength, our comfort, our provider, our peace, and our hope for eternity. Our prosperity does not depend on what happens to us in this world. When we belong to Jesus our prosperity is firmly planted in heaven.

 

When God asks us to step outside the walls of “our plan” and follow his will we can be sure that he is already on site waiting for us. We discover and learn the will of God for our life as he reveals it to us one event at a time. I really have come to believe that God is in all that concerns me. He places me where he wants me to be, he causes the lives of other people to intersect with mine, sometimes he removes people and things from my life, he leads me to my place within the body of Christ, he orchestrates for my provision, he blesses me, and he always allows things to enter my life that will give me an occasion to trust and rely on him rather than myself. God has taken the knee bending trials of my life and twisted them around for my sanctification and his glory. All that Satan has meant for my harm, God has uniquely used to create something beautiful out of the sinful ashes of chaos. My brokenness has always been God’s perfect tool for changing my character, teaching me his mind, and redeeming and restoring my life.

 

When God wants to reveal his plan for our life he speaks to us in amazing ways. The Word of God is a vital tool that God uses to teach us who he is and how he thinks. We learn how to trust God by discovering his character and his attributes as we read his Word. Other times we hear the voice of God through godly teachers, preachers, mentors, writers, and musicians. Godly friends also encourage us and confirm what we know to be true. God speaks to us through our world. Creation sings of his love and care, and his provision and faithfulness. Believers also hear the voice of God through the promptings and conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Word tells us that the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells us only what the Father tells him. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-13 NIV

 

It is Satan who sows seeds of doubt, fear, inadequacy, and selfishness. It is the lies of Satan that attempts to pull Believers away from the will of God. Nothing pleases Satan more than to cripple the mind of a believer and by doing so he is able to make them ineffective for the cause of Jesus Christ! But Jesus can always get us back on track!

 

As God reveals his will to you through circumstances rejoice, give thanks and praise to him. Move forward in confidence knowing that God is going ahead of you clearing the path you take, opening doors and placing you in a position that will bring glory to him. God will always wait for just the right moment in time to reveal the next step of his perfect plan for your life. “For I know the plans I have for you, … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 

If your path is currently unsure, dark, and lonely you can still give thanks. Not for what has happened to you but because Jesus has promised to walk with you in this place of loneliness. He has not abandoned you! His holy presence does not depend upon your emotional state being perfectly intact. Jesus has promised that he will sit with you as long as it takes for you to be able to move beyond the darkness. I have never heard a single Believer say they regretted walking with Jesus and submitting to his glorious will for their life. Even the Apostle Paul said that for him to die was gain! When we find ourselves in the middle of an undesirable situation we must still choose to believe that God has a plan. When we submit to that plan we will be blessed and God will be glorified.

 

We should not strain to know the will of God. We should simply be obedient to our “spiritual” desires and instincts. We should also look to God’s Word and believe his words to be true. Simple mustard seed faith is all it takes. We must set aside our logic, and our emotions. God merely asks us to move ahead each day, one event at a time, in simple obedience. We must train ourselves to keep our eyes open for God’s smallest of opportunities. When God tugs on our heartstrings we must respond in trust and obedience. God will reveal his plan for our lives when and how he sees fit. We need not fear the One who loves us and is always good! We only need to trust in his amazing goodness. Adversity, pain, suffering, and brokenness in life are necessary because these things create need in our life. Problems are gifts that allow us to trust God with our needs. Trusting God is our golden opportunity to see his glory unleashed!

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever struggled to know the will of God?
2. Are you relieved to know that discovering the will of God is not your job?
3. Do you see the necessity to intentionally tune in to God so that he can reveal to you his will for your life?
4. Do you see that God’s perfect plan for your life is an ongoing process to be revealed to you event by event?
5. How do you feel about God being the One who gets to choose when, where, and how he will reveal his plan to you?
6. Do you find comfort in knowing that your job is to pay attention, listen for his voice, trust him and obey his promptings?

Prayer:

 

Dear Father,

 

Let me be the first one to confess that when it is time for me to trust and obey I am not always smiling. Usually, I am anxious and afraid. Forgive me for not trusting you. Forgive me when I doubt your goodness. You are the one who knows my life from beginning to end. On the other hand, I remain totally in the dark regarding my future. Father, I want others to trust me, so why should it be so hard for me to realize that you too want to be trusted? Heavenly Father, perhaps the solution is simple; I need more of you and less of me. The better I know you and your reputation, the more I will continue to fall deeper in love with you. Then because of my great love for you it will be easier for me to totally trust you. Father, create within me a hunger to make this simple truth come alive within me. Lord, not my plans for my life but your plan for my life is what I desire to be divinely accomplished.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

When Our Plans Go South!

“Woe to the obstinate children declares the LORD,

to those who carry out plans that are not mine,

forming an alliance

but not by my spirit, heaping sin upon sin;…”

Isaiah 30:1 NIV

Today I will spend my time in the garden walking a well marked pathway through the woods. It is serene. The tranquility is perfect for worship. The trees make available a canopy that provides coolness and a welcome relief from the heat of the sun. During this time of reflection, I stop and stroke a bed of soft, emerald green moss. The softness of the moss is reminiscent of the love of my Father in heaven.

 

As I walk I begin to ponder this question. Why is it so hard to accept disappointment when the plans I make fail? It is during this time I begin to search my soul for answers. My mind immediately goes to God’s Word. “In His heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

 

As a child I learned a scripture verse found in Jeremiah 29:11, but I must confess there have been many times that I didn’t believe this scripture was true “I know the plans I have for you,… plans to prosper you …plans to give you hope and a future.” My questions of unbelief would come to me during the times when my heart was broken, when my dreams were unfulfilled, when death took a loved one, or when money was scarce. My response to God was, “How can this thing be good? How is this in my best interest? How will this prosper me? Why did you give me this talent and then not allow me to use it? Where is my hope and where is my future in this scenario?

 

During times when I am working through confusion I have found that it is best to go back to square one. Today God faithfully began to remind me that on the day I was conceived I was created as his masterpiece. A masterpiece is something that is created with extraordinary skill. It is not always perfect but it is designed with great care for a specific purpose. Every single person ever created by God is a masterpiece! All of God’s masterpieces come fully equipped with flaws and imperfection, yet every creation has the ability to carry out their own specific purpose. God has designed each one of us to look the way he wanted us to look, he gave us a mind to work as he deemed best, and he gave us all specific abilities, gifts and talents to use for his glory and our enjoyment. God also put within each of us an eternal soul. God gave each of us our own unique personality and temperament. He lovingly installed inside each of us a set of human flaws that he uses as tools as he attempts to draw us into a personal relationship with him. You see, our flaws create need, and that need is the need of a Savior. All of us need a Savior to help us deal with all that life sends across our path. God created us and on the day we were conceived he set the plan for our life in action and he began the plan by selecting our parents and our place of birth.

 

Taking the first step in God’s perfect plan for our life requires an understanding that we have a personal need for God to re-create us. This can occur as a child or as an adult. The process is also referred to by some as being born again. At the time we experience this new birth, we also receive the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us. As believers we have the unique privilege of receiving direction for our life from the Holy Spirit as he speaks the words of the Father into our mind. Jesus said that this is a process that is as mysterious as the wind, and so it is by faith alone that we believe in the unseen and when we believe we begin to experience the mystery. But first, we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must invite him to come into our life. We must be born of water and then again born by the Spirit. …Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? …Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit….You must be born again.” John 3:5-7 NIV

 

God has had a plan for your life since the day you were conceived. This plan involves your faith, your family, your career, your finances, and your ministry. God has specific plans for you that include his love for you and you loving him in return. We begin to show God our love for him through our gratitude and our personal worship. After we have fallen in love with Jesus we should chose to live our life by being, doing, going, and playing according to his perfect plan for our life. God’s plan is the same for all humanity it is only the details of that plan that are custom made for each one of his masterpieces.

 

Being – It is God’s plan that we be diligent in our work, be available for service, be responsible with our finances, and be there for our family.

 

Doing – We are to do our best when we are at work, we are to do our ministry as well as we can while we work to accomplish God’s eternal purposes; we do our best to plan and manage our finances wisely. We are to do all we can to reach out in love to the needs of our family.

 

Going – We are to go to work and perform our tasks with the mind set of being a dependable employer or employee, we go into our ministry as a humble servant, we go about managing our money with an openhanded spirit of gratitude and giving as we give back to God and to others, and we go about serving our family in selfless love.

 

Playing – We are also created to play. We are to enjoy and play with our co-workers. We are to celebrate our ministry. We are to make time to play and enjoy life because this is necessary for our rest, relaxation and restoration. We are to enjoy and play with our family because this develops unity, love, respect, and makes happy memories.

 

God has also included in his plan space for us to rest. On the seventh day God rested and so must we. We are more productive when we take time to rest. There are also other times for relaxation and fun. Playtime makes us laugh, enjoy others, relax, and provides opportunity for restoration. Unfortunately, play also has a dark side. Too much play can cost too much time and too much money. Therefore, we must pass our recreation through the Holy Spirit and ask him to help us to play in a manner that is pleasing to God.

 

So why does the plan that God has specifically created for us often go south? My guess is because it is our plan, NOT his plan. The bumps in the road of our life are often there because of our disobedience and refusal to follow God’s plan. When we go about our life ignoring God we run the danger of stubbing our toe. When we fail to consult him before making a major decision we are going off, as they say, “Half-cocked”!

 

If you are not a believer you must realize that you do not have access to God’s plan for your life. Non-believers eyes are veiled from spiritual understanding. On the other hand, when one becomes a believer that person must open their eyes and hone in on God’s plan for their life through the direction of the Holy Spirit, because now, God will little by little reveal his plan for your life through the Spirit. When believers ignore the directives of the Spirit there will bumps in the road and personal failure. Seeking to know God’s will and hearing his voice requires that we set aside blocks of time in solitude without intrusion from the world around us. Sometimes we are simply not willing to do what is necessary in order to hear from God. Hearing the voice of God takes more than one visit to the beautiful garden of prayer! We must desire to know God’s plan for us and then we must seek him and ask for him to reveal his will to us.

 

The bumps in the road come when we choose to do it our way. In our work ethic and our career, if we are slackers we will fail. If we insist on having a career that makes us feel good or lets us do what we believe we are gifted to do, we often leave God out of the equation and do it our way without even consulting him. We often pursue our desire more than we pursue God. If achieving success in our career is measured as the world defines success, then we set our self up for future disappointment when we begin to experience an inner emptiness at the end of the road of so called success. It is at this point we cannot understand why what we wanted and desired has left us feeling so empty and unfulfilled after we have achieved our goal. At this point we again go off chasing the next thing that strikes our fancy as we look for fulfillment and what we believe to be happiness.

 

God’s plan for all of us includes our faith, family, career, finances, and ministry.

 

Failure in faith occurs when one rejects the call of God. This can be the greatest mistake anyone can make in this life. We are eternal beings and we will live forever. This life is NOT the end. Our choice to find and follow Jesus will result in eternal pleasures forever in the presence of the very one who made us, loved us, and gave his only Son so that we can be forgiven and restored to the fellowship with our Creator. However, rejection of this opportunity will result in eternal separation from your creator and all that is good for all of eternity.

 

Failure in family occurs when a family member becomes selfish and is not concerned how his actions and attitudes will affect other members of the family.

 

Failure in career occurs when we run ahead of God and do not consult him and our career choice does not agree with God’s choice for us. We may have some measure of success but it will never produce the joy that following God’s choice would bring. I have noticed that sometimes, when one gives their gifts and talents to God’s service, he often blesses that person by weaving their gifts and talents into a career. When people flip this scenario around they choose what they want and then ask God to bless their choice. This often results in failure.

 

Failure in finances comes when we mismanage our money and go in debt. This lifestyle fosters constant worry and stress! When we hold on to what little we have too tightly, we become selfish. When we refuse to trust God to be our provider we also sit ourselves up for failure. A lack of gratitude, a heart that covets, and a spirit of greediness will create a distance between us and our Lord. These are major bumps in the road that breeds discontentment with life and can even cause depression.

 

Failure in ministry occurs when we simply choose not to serve or we create our own ministry apart from God’s direction. It is important for Christians to understand that we will never have a ministry if we are not first of all available to God for his use. Busy people who hold God at a safe distance have no ministry. People with excuses have no ministry. People who think they have nothing to offer have no ministry. God slights no one. We must dig deep within ourselves to find where our loyalties lie because it may be here that our ministry is waiting to be discovered. Our thoughts from the Holy Spirit are designed to ignite desire and point out need. What are the things in this world that break our hearts? What new ministries would we like someone else to start? What triggers compassion within us? Answers to these important questions may be the key to discovering your God blessed ministry. Maybe you are the one God is calling.

 

Few people have extremely visible ministries. Most people have quiet behind the scene ministries that bring just as much glory to God as the more visible ministries do. This is true because God judges not on what we do or how much we do, but he judges our simple obedience one task at a time. All believers must be willing to minister as God chooses. God is the one who will choose where and when he needs us to use our gifts and talents. Other times God calls us to step completely out of our comfort zone and serve him. When we fail to step out in faith this is disobedience. Sometimes I wonder just how many blessings I have failed to receive by ignoring the voice of God.

 

If we are to walk a path in this life that succeeds we must consult our Maker. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows how he designed us, why he designed us the way he did, and how he plans to use us. He knows our strengths and he knows our weaknesses. He knows the number of our days and what the future holds. Our Maker knows the plans he has for us that will give us hope and a future.

 

Even when this fallen world surprises us with poor health, pain, suffering, loss of a loved one, or we become the brunt of sinful behavior, abuse, injustice or tragedy, God still has a plan for our life. That plan includes his love and comfort, inner peace and joy, eternal reward, and vengeance that belong to him alone. If we will embrace this truth and trust our Lord, then when we meet Jesus face to face, we will hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” because we have chosen to trust him for all that enters our life. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…He makes his steps firm. Psalm 37:23 KJV It is the Lord that makes our steps firm even when the ground trembles below us. It is the Lord that directs our going and our coming, our starts and our stops. In God’s great design for our life he has made plans for our protection, our comfort, our refinement, and his glory.

 

The Lord brings specific people and opportunities into our lives. We must be alert and watch for his gifts. When the plan is long in coming together, remember that his delays are delays of love and our waiting on the Lord produces patience. Sometimes we hinder God’s plan by not being obedient to what he has asked us to do. Often our obedience reveals the next phase of God’s wonderful plan for our life.

 

Sometimes in this life we are privileged to witness God’s healing, restoration, and justice. But if it is God’s will to leave the suffering in our life I believe he will make it up to us in heaven. I also believe that there is never any disappointment in Jesus. In this life we often look back and see that his plans were best. But in eternity we will observe that all his plans were perfect. We will understand that the flaws God created within us were placed there to accomplish his purposes and the adversity that he allowed to enter our life he also used for our good. I am convinced that if we insist on knowing the answers to all the “whys” in life we will miss out on his joy and peace.

 

Questions:

1. What is the first step in allowing God to direct your life and reveal his plan for your life to you?
2. Have you taken the first step? If not, why not do so right now. Tell Jesus that you want to partner with him and follow his lead as you move forward with your life.
3. As a believer, what specific area of your life is causing you the most frustration?
4. Have you considered that the bump in the road may be the result of you doing things your way instead of God’s way?
5. Will you surrender your plans into the Lord’s hands for his direction?

Prayer:

Dear Lord.

 

In Proverbs 19:21 your word tells us, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.” Father, forgive me when I rush ahead of you. I want to follow the plans you have for my life because I know that within your guidelines and plans I will find peace, joy, and contentment. “You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 Lord I do not want to be an obstinate child, who is determine to  carry out my own plans instead of yours. I have experienced that when I pile repeated sin upon repeated sin there is nothing left but disappointment and failure. “I know, O Lord, that man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23 Father, I pray that I would willingly surrender my plans into your Sovereign hands. Lord, I pray that you will direct my steps and lead me down your path because it is the only path that will give me hope and a future. Father, when my plans go south, help me to see that disappointment as an opportunity to re-evaluate my position before you. Am I leading or am I following?

 

It is in you name I pray. Amen.

Wearing "Son-Glasses"

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:1-3, 24 NIV

Today in the garden I am energized and ready to get started on some major gardening projects! I have grabbed my floppy pink garden hat, put on my  matching pink rubber garden shoes, adjusted my sunglasses, and slipped on my garden gloves. Sometimes when I get all of my garden paraphernalia on I look so comical I amuse myself!

This morning my projects are many. I will pull weeds; dead-head spent blooms; relocate some Black-eyed Susans, water the wilted, and plant some additional annuals for color! I am a woman with a plan!!! With my shovel in hand I am just about to reach my destination and do some serious digging when the Master Gardener slips up behind me and stops me dead in my tracks and says, “Did you forget something?” I am on a mission so I don’t even give him a glance but rather shout over my shoulder, “I don’t think so!” The Master Gardener now taps me on the shoulder and says, “Oh, but you did.” Now I am a bit agitated because progress is my goal and the perennial garden is my destination. This time I don’t voice the words but I think to myself, “Why does he always do this?” Duh! I forgot. He knows my thoughts, so now I am totally embarrassed as he says, “Because I love you!” Now I MUST stop. I turn to my Lord and give him my full attention. He simply hands me his “Son-Glasses” and with open hands waits to confiscate my “sunglasses”. Now I’m really upset, because number one, my sunglasses are so cute! I really don’t want to trade them in for his ugly, drab glasses! Number two, I am fully aware that this transaction means major change is on the docket. I don’t think I will ever get over the fact that even though my plans are good and important, somehow God either thinks the job I am currently involved in is not for me or that  once again, I have aspirations that exceed my ability or energy to accomplish. I also know that most of the time God wants to send me on a new journey that benefits the gardens of others. I so desperately want to work in my own garden! I do however; remember that amazingly, I always end up being the one that gains the most from God's new assignment.

When God stops me dead in my tracks I know I am in for more of that life changing, character building, and spiritual growth stuff! I also know that this is not going to end well unless I obey the Master Gardner. I choose to bow in humility before my Lord and ask, “What is it Lord that you would have me do? I will slow down and toss my plans aside for today so that I can do the work you have for me to do.” I now put on my new “Son-Glasses” and look about the garden.

During this "time out" experience, I am reminded that the Psalmist David also asked God to direct his paths. I am learning that when God directs my path I sometimes have to set aside “My To Do List” and write “God’s To Do List”. As I experience different seasons in my life my work often changes. I usually want to continue in the comfortable sameness of my current Christian work but God often wants to stretch me by giving me a new assignment. Other times God has pointed out that I needed to change the way I was currently doing his work. After all, I must remember that what I do  is for his glory not mine.

Over the years, David had many assignments. He was a shepherd, a musician, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a warrior, and a king. Each of his positions in life stretched him and prepared him for the next phase of his life. I am finding that most of the time my past life assignments have  prepared me for what I am currently doing and that what I am now engaged in now is  preparing me for a  future work   assignment.

The challenge I face is learning to develop a keen spiritual awareness of God. I must tune in to the Holy Spirit and listen to his voice as he speaks the words of my Father. Looking at my life and my service through “Son-Glasses” is extremely revealing. I must learn to tune my ears to the whispers and be alert to the nudges from the Holy Spirit. I must pay attention to new desires and interests that may be God inspired. I must respond when I feel a continuous tug on my heart strings as the Holy Spirit pulls me in a new direction. I must open my eyes to see the needs of others that I may not have seen before.

I am finding that spiritual renewal and refreshment is often a place to start. I must set aside a block of time to focus on God’s will and plan for my life. I must get alone to receive fresh direction and then adjust my priorities. During this time God often confirms that the things I am already doing are right and tells me I must continue the work he has already given me. However, I always want to be sensitive and open to any new assignments that God may have for  my life. I must make sure that I am not running ahead of God and doing it my way instead of his way.

Satan would love to keep me busy doing so much good, attending  meetings, and running from one church project to another, that I never hit the mark of spending time alone with God. Satan can also keep me so busy with selfish and insignificant activities. Therefore, my mind becomes clouded regarding God’s purpose for my life. Stress that comes from overload is also one of Satan’s clever detours. The enemy is also famous for giving guilt trips. Sometimes I feel guilty if I don’t sign on for every need placed before me. Satan loves overload! Once again, I can find myself serving to the hilt but totally missing out on a loving relationship with Jesus. Abundant life is found by abiding and obeying Jesus. It is the spiritual discipline of solitude that clearly allows us to see God’s plan for our life. The discipline of simplicity gives us the rest and energy to do God’s work and do it well.

God’s assignments usually are not easy nor do they come at convenient times. They take time, effort, and discipline and at the end of the day we are exhausted. That is why knowing God’s assignments for our life and doing his work must not be crowded with oodles of other good things that hinder our focus. For me it is important to allow God to search my heart and see what I need to eliminate, what I need to add, and what work must remain.

So today, here in the garden I am trying to tune in to God’s assignments for my life. I am learning that sometimes God’s assignments call for immediate action. When a thought comes to mind it often requires me to act in the moment with an immediate prayer, speak a word of encouragement, give my testimony, or choose to respond  to another as Jesus would do. Other times God’s assignment requires me to act later. My assignment may be to send a note, make a phone call, send an e-mail, write a check, go help a friend in need, or make and deliver a casserole. God’s assignment may also be a hard but temporary undertaking of service. Helping someone you love, helping someone you don’t love so much, raising children, or being a caregiver to an aging parent for a season.

As you know, God’s assignment for me today is taking me away from MY perennial garden where I was originally headed. It seems the Master Gardner feels I am in need of a "time out" in the garden of my heart. He insists that I stop, step back, sit down, and be personally restored.  Experience has taught me that it is during times of refreshment God has made his will known to me. Without a doubt, serving God is a blessing and a privilege. I know that each day I need to take time to focus on what God would have me do that day. I need God’s wisdom and strength in order to serve him and others well and do so in a timely loving manner.

Questions:

1. Have you ever taken time to put on his “Son-Glasses”?

2. In what capacity are you currently serving God?

3. What are the things that God would have you turn loose?

4. What new assignment is God asking you to try?

5. Is God calling you to a "time out" for rest, restoration, and refreshment?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven,

I confess that today I have more to do than I can possibly accomplish. I confess that I am so busy I don’t even have time to change my “sunglasses” to your “Son-Glasses”. Forgive me for not bringing my service before you on a regular basis for your evaluation. Father, I don’t want to run ahead of you. I desire that what I do for you would be done well. I desire that my service would be pure and selfless work that you can use for your glory. Search me Lord and know my confused heart. I need to see things as you see them. Show me your vision for my life and my service as I look through your holy “Son-glasses”. I pray that all I do will bring glory to you. I thank you Father that you have also gifted all of your children with abilities to personally enjoy. Even David enjoyed time alone in your world singing and playing the harp, he loved on his sheep, he enjoyed friendships, family, good food and laughter. God you have provided for your children avenues for rest and relaxation.  Help me to use my time wisely as I make time to enjoy the garden of my heart. Thank you Lord for your refreshment and rest  so that I might also enjoy life outside of the garden as well.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.