“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”— Proverbs 16:9 (RSV).
Have you ever wondered why you’re at a specific job, living in a particular place, how you ended up married to a certain person or even why on Earth you’re here? If you’ve ever had questions like these and didn’t have the answer, maybe it’s because the Lord was directing your steps.
Sometimes, it’s only by looking back years later that the answer is revealed to us. Other times, we experience an “AHA” moment.
In 1971, when I enrolled in college, my plans were to pursue a degree in elementary education. When I sat down to discuss classes with my assigned advisor, he said, “You’re going to have a difficult time finding a job after graduation because there are too many elementary education majors.”
His statement led me to change my major to secondary education with an emphasis in English, my favorite high school class. While I’d never taken a journalism class, I decided to enroll in one the first semester as an elective. I loved it and eventually changed my major to journalism education with a minor in English.
After teaching for several years at the high school level, I came to realize it was God’s plan all along. Although I’ve been retired from education for more than 10 years, I still stay in touch with, and am able to minister to, many of my former students.
Recently, a friend shared with me about her sister’s “AHA” moment when God revealed to her why she was at a particular job. Webster’s dictionary defines an “AHA” moment as a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension. My friend’s sister had been questioning why she was there until she was led to minister to a fellow employee who was distressed about a family member’s pending incarceration. My friend’s sister could relate because she, too, has a family member who is incarcerated.
Pastor Adrian Rogers says, “Indeed, your scars may be your greatest ministry. Just as the scars of Jesus convinced Thomas, perhaps your scars will convince someone today.”
As Christians, we sometimes question our calling. However, our first calling is to know Jesus. How can we know Him better? He calls us into an intimate relationship with Him, meaning we need to spend quality time getting to know Him through reading and studying scripture, praying and meditating on His Word, sharing fellowship with other believers and becoming His ambassadors.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.”
This scripture reveals our true calling, answering the question, “Why on Earth am I here?”
Author C.S. Lewis wrote, “In Gethsemane the holiest of all petitioners prayed three times that a certain cup might pass from Him. It did not.”
If Jesus understood God’s plan for His life, shouldn’t it be your goal to let the Lord direct your steps also?
Sometimes I wonder if I am making the right choices. To date, when I have felt confirmed that that Lord was leading, I have never found myself in a bad place. I have always been rewarded with the understanding that I am doing what is right. Sometimes I see the good consequence. Sometimes not. But always, I have the peace of his presence that fulfills his promise to be with me always. That is enough.
Katherine,
I’ve been there, wondering if I am making the right choices. I have not always done so, but since I started letting Him direct my steps, He has also rewarded me. I think it is the peace that passes understanding affirming we are on the right path. Keep on following His lead. May God bless your path.