PUTTING OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

 

August 25, 2023

 

Proverbs 16:3

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

 

Putting Our Best Foot Forward

 

 The Bible makes it clear how we should approach new endeavors in our lives. Proverbs tells us to, “commit to the Lord whatever you do.” I believe what we are to understand by this is that considering God’s will in our lives and committing our actions to God, we can, as the saying goes, “put our best foot forward” and launch off on the right track.

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