“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
I am a planner. Anyone that knows me knows that if you want to make me uncomfortable just put me in a position where we must “wing it”. I can literally feel myself twitching thinking about those situations. The reality that I have come to be more and more aware of as I mature is, I can plan as much as I want but like the book of wisdom (Proverbs), in the bible states it so well,
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”Proverbs 16:9 NIV.
Though it still makes me uncomfortable I have learned that God knows my best path and I give Him permission to intervene as He sees fit when my plans need to be diverted.
I entitled today’s devotional, Face the Grave. I did not choose this to be morbid but to be realistic. We all have an expiration date. It is inevitable that we will face the grave someday. What if we chose to live a life that was so prepared for heaven that heaven touched us every day just to cheer us on until we get there? What if I told you that this is possible beginning right now, in this moment?
Every time we choose to take our focus off the problems and temporary things of this world and focus on the eternal things that God offers us, we are free. Free to accept things as they come whether they are part of our original plans or not. Free to appreciate what we have in this moment whether it is exactly what we hoped for or diverted to a whole new direction.
My experience was, that I thought I would live in paradise here while I awaited paradise in heaven. Instead I lost all of it to someone else’s choices. I spent 3 years in shock, healing and rebuilding. What I learned is that the paradise I had was temporary regardless, but heaven, the eternal paradise, didn’t move away from me. Heaven and its heavenly host embraced me until I was strong enough to stand again. I will still face the grave one day no matter where I live, what material things I have or lose doesn’t change that. I am learning what contentment in the moments of lack really means. I have faced the grave by being present in my moments as they come rather than sulking about the past or hoping for a future that looks like the past. Lord knows that I don’t want a repeat of all of that.
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Philippians 4:11 NLT
Dear Lord, help us face the grave with courage, joy and acceptance because of who You are, who we are to You and what You’ve done for us, not on what we try to control. Forgive us Lord for taking the gift of time for granted. Let us value our time. Let us be content in what we have in our present moments. Not that we stop dreaming but that we dream with You in mind. Amen #jointhejourney #devotional #beautifullybroken #khoward #k4gsus #writer #journey #author #seizetheday
From the Depths of Kell 