I have learned to use scripture as my guidebook.
By learned I mean I have fumbled, failed, and forged my own way rather than use scripture.
But through this learning, I have come to know that scripture truly is a light into my path.
Despite the many times it took me to learn this, the lessons gained in doing so have made the learning that much sweeter. Stronger. Valuable.
I can recall countless times of coming to crossroads and free falling through life circumstances as I desperately tried to figure out what to do next.
I know I’m not alone in this. We all have those moments when we feel disappointed or directionless or confused.
Why am I here?
How did this happen?
What do I do now?
I’ve also learned that in the midst of difficult or perplexing circumstances, I’m not always the best person to give advice to myself.
I tend to have that human condition we all have of feeling emotions, and either reacting to them or being overwhelmed by them. Even when I do practice self-control, it is not easily maintained without being anchored into something more concrete than my wavering feelings and limited understanding of my situation.
And that’s where scripture comes in.
It’s God’s word. It’s anchored in God, the creator of all creation. You can’t get any more concrete than that.
When my heart is faint, I go to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
It’s there that I reset my compass. I take hold of God’s word and meditate on it. I break it down and let each verse take root in my heart and mind. I take hold of its promise and, this is the important part, I believe it. I obey it. I live it. And it becomes my what do I do now.
For example, when I’m not sure what to do next, I remember…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5.
It’s a four-part blueprint that I can practice every day as I wait to see a door open or a path made visible.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…with confident conviction rely and expect on God Almighty, hope in Him, give Him charge over your heart and custody of your circumstances, believe that he is more than able…
Lean not on your own understanding…if you are confused by your circumstances, God is not…He sees all with perfect clarity and his ways are higher than yours so stop walking by sight and walk by faith…He is infinite and you are finite…there will be things that don’t make sense to you…you weren’t meant to know it all and have it all figured out…trust in the one who is greater than you…
In all your ways acknowledge him…in your waking, in your thinking, in your driving, in your working, in your conversations, in your relationships, acknowledge God with your actions, your words, your praise, and a surrendered, obedient heart…
He will make your paths straight…arranged for the purposes that He has ordained for you, right where He wants you to be…
Now, don’t get me wrong, you’ll still see me slipping when I should be skipping, but I’m learning. I’m learning hard. There’s really no other way you get to learn in this life. But the leaning on God’s word part gets easier and easier as it does not return void.
Praise the Lord because His word is true and it has seen me through my darkest days. It has been my steadfast hope when all else fades.