The Still Small Voice

I like schedules. There are few things that make me as happy as setting goals for a day, setting times for each thing, and coming to the end of a day and things having gone according to my plan. As I have talked about recently, that is not always God’s way of working. At the beginning of the year, this verse really struck me.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Since January, my writing plans have not worked. I mean, I planned for 2017 so carefully. I have been so excited about my projects. However, the flu, a cold, construction, and a myriad of other interruptions discouraged me. I looked at my checklist and started to think of ways to get back on track.

Have you ever had a moment when you are desperately trying to figure out something, you pause, and the answer becomes clear? That is what happened to me on Friday. I was walking around our land, irritated that a horrible headache had kept me from my work for the day. I formulated plans to help be catch up on my goals.

Then I stopped.

I smiled at all the tiny new oak trees poking up through the ground. I took a deep breath of the cool evening air, relishing the freshness in it. I looked up at the large oak trees, their branches swelling with new leafs. And the still small voice within finally had a change to be heard. I didn’t like what I heard, but I couldn’t get away from it. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to chunk the schedule.

That is right, the picture you saw above is of my plans ripped up because God is directing my paths in a new direction this year. I still plan to spend most of each day writing, but I am letting go of my plans. I am going to write in whatever project God leads me to write in, edit my books on His timetable, and stop forcing my own way into things.

This is not easy for me. I am so tempted to set goals down in my own mind even if they aren’t on paper. Yet, I am determined to head what I have been led to do.
Tell me about a time you heard that still, small voice.