God First: A Path Less Traveled

Send to Kindle

Life can be scary, can’t it? Many times it feels like we’re walking through a minefield. In heavy fog. Blindfolded. Truthfully, we need a guide, and I’m so grateful God is more-than-equal to the task. God must come first in our goals and decisions, but it’s much easier said than done because we think we know best, and we want our own way.

But consider this: God created us. He sees the big picture and loves us best and most. He has a plan for us, which involves being transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus. As hard as it is to push ourselves and our desires out of the way and let God have control, we must.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

God First ~ Trust Him

Trusting God is essential. It’s more than just trusting in Him. We trust Him–to be who His Word says He is, to do what He says He’ll do, and to use our lives in a way that makes us better and glorifies Him in the process.

God First ~ With All Your Heart

All our heart? Seriously? As much as I sometimes buck against it, undivided trust is the only acceptable option. We can’t say “Okay, God, I trust You, but I’m gonna look into some other options on the side while You do Your work.” We have to trust Him with every part of our being.

God First ~ Don’t Lean On Your Understanding

I love the wording here. We don’t lean on something we don’t trust. So when we lean on our limited human understanding, we’re putting our faith in ourselves. As an example, my type-A personality careens toward list-making. When I need to make a decision, I often write down the pros and cons of each choice. While the exercise is not entirely pointless, it is leaning on my understanding. It’s much better to pray for discernment, wisdom, and insight, and ask Him to remove my wants and desires and replace them with His.

God First ~ In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him

There are several different translations of the word “acknowledge” here, such as “submit to,” “listen to,” “think on,” and “know.” Combining these translations help us understand the wording better. In the Bible, hearing and listening always mean obedience. So this is more than just verbal acknowledgement, but acknowledging Him through our obedience.

The word “know” in the Old Testament is actually experiencing that person, having firsthand knowledge of them. The only way to have that kind of knowledge of someone is be intimately acquainted with them. Being in close, personal relationship with God is not a suggestion. It’s a requirement.

Not only do we have to personally know and submit to Him in obedience, we have to do it in all our ways. It’s a second-by-second submission to Him. Jesus called it dying to self.

God First ~ He Will Make Our Paths Straight

Who doesn’t want a straight path for their lives? This wording suggests removing obstacles and ironing out the curves and wrinkles that trip us up, slow us down, and hinder our progress. It’s His voice in our ear, saying “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

Application

Living a life of faith and putting God first often means going down a path less traveled, a path that makes no logical sense. Many times in the Bible God directs His people to do some pretty strange things. Moses is commanded to return to Egypt where he’s wanted for murder. The runaway slaves are told to take a direction that leaves them pinned between the Red Sea and the quickly-approaching Egyptians chariots. Gideon is told to pare his army down to a mere three hundred men right before the battle. Ananias was instructed to initiate a face-to-face meeting with a man bent on destroying followers of The Way.

Why does God do this?

The answer is both simple and profound: to reveal His power and faithfulness so we can trust Him more.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more! 

(‘Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus, Public Domain, Louisa M.R. Stead, 1882) For the story behind the hymn, CLICK HERE.

A Path Less Traveled ~ A story of regaining faith in the midst of tragedy.

The post God First: A Path Less Traveled appeared first on Cathy Bryant.