James 4: 13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
How many of us have second-guessed ourselves, especially when (our) plans don’t go, well, as ” planned”? We can always find room for regret, for things we have done or said. Maybe the opposite is true, perhaps there are actions left undone or you kept quiet when you wish you had spoken, either way can hit us equally hard, looking back.
“Should have”, “Could have.” “Would have”. These are just a few of the lingering considerations that can last, for some, a lifetime. “What if?” Naturally, I believe, the older one gets, the more of these we have about different situations or sets of circumstances in our lives.
This is only a very small part of a more complicated issue. This is one of many reasons to pray, read and study the Word of God as if your life depended on it, because it does. The more we are in communication with the Father, we become familiar with His voice, we grow to listen and better understand what He wants and expects from us. When this happens, when we seek out His plan for our lives, in decisions and direction and use the wisdom He provides, we see that our wants and needs grow less and less carnal and “me” focused, and more about pleasing the Lord in what we do with the blessings He has provided for us. We will never regret obeying the Lord, even if that means not going where we wanted, not doing whatever it was we had in mind, changing jobs, friends, church, patterns of behavior, or anything for that matter. Following what He has in store will never disappoint. His Will is PERFECT.
We never know what God will provide, but we know that He certainly can! Has He ever surprised You with His Greatness, He has me! I have a closet filled with thrift store finds rather than crammed full of over-priced department store items. I have what I need. I’m not saying that someone who buys clothes from the mall, boutiques or other places is wrong, I do so myself from time to time, it’s that I have peace and God has given me satisfaction in this area of my life with what I have. It’s my choice to buy pre-owned for the most part, but it is through His Power that I find contentment with the decisions.
Heavenly Father
Thank You for these beautiful days of sunshine during the day
And brilliant stars by night
Thank You for the warmth of the sunlight
For the joy You put in our heart
Lord, please let us recognize Your Voice
Because we are familiar with the sound of our Father speaking to us
By prayer and reading of Your Word
Please give us understanding
We know You will, as You say that it will be given liberally to those who seek it
Father, we just ask for contentment, but not only that
For pure delight in doing Your Will
We want our thoughts, speech and actions to reflect what You would have us to be
Thank You for each and every blessing
In the Name of Jesus
Amen
Songs
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
credits: God the Father. Jesus, Holy Spirit, Scripture
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