August 25, 2023
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish
your plans.”
In Church life, we tend to think of a new year starting in
September, many of our ministries rise up from a summer rest, and get ready to
start fresh, new and revived. I feel that this is not just in Church
Communities, we all step into September, with some new endeavors and maybe some
dreams for a real change in direction.
As we finish the week, I have been thinking about “new
things”, my guess is you have been too. What new things are on your mind today?
Maybe for you a new thing is launching a business, or a career change, moving
to a new neighborhood or city, for some of us the new thing is moving forward
after the death of dear loved one, caring for an aging parent, or some other
painful loss.
I wanted to just touch a few areas, or focuses that can help
all of us who are setting out into something new.
Todays, verse says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and
he will establish your plans.” Placing the “new” into God’s hands and seeking
God’s will and purposes is way to start things off. The Bible teaches us that
committing our way to God, seeking God’s will and way, that our God will “direct
our paths”.
With that truth as a foundation, we lean in and with
confidence we make the commitment to give our very best to where and how God
leads us. When we put our very best effort and energy into a change or new
thing, we have confidence that we are doing all we can to be faithful and fruitful
in our efforts.
I think of Colossians 3:23 that says, “Whatever you do, work
at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Doing our best requires us to have our heart and attitude in the right place. You
know what I have found? In that place I have discovered the “peace of God that
passes all understanding” and that peace we are promised will “guard our hearts”.
Putting our best foot forward, means seeking God’s will,
following God’s direction, giving our very best to the task, and it also
requires us to persevere. A reality we all know very well, is that life can be
difficult, challenges and struggles are commonplace. Let us be reminded that not
everything that is worthwhile is easy. In fact, sometimes the best things can
be the hardest, whether it is earning a degree, starting a business, building
or mending relationships, moving forward after loss, or growing in our faith.
We trust God and we push forward. We do what Hebrews 12:1 teaches,
we “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
One final thought, on putting the best foot forward, is the continual act of praying for God’s guidance. One of my favorite scriptures, is from Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isn’t that a wonderful promise?
We commit our plans to God and follow where God leads, we
give our best to the task, though obstacles come our way, we in great trust in our
God, “run with perseverance” toward the goal, and we do this knowing that God
is Good, that God is loving toward all he has made, we do this by seeking God’s
guidance and listening for God’s voice that says “this way, walk this way.”
Yes, Proverbs has some great wisdom for us today, dare I say
for everyday.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
AMEN
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