Tuesday, May 30, 2023

At the end of the day, at the nail salon where I work, one of my coworkers asked me, “Can you believe we made it?” There had been a lot of changes made to our schedules, and it felt extra busy. Boy, were we relieved that the day was finally over.

There's something relatable about feeling like you are not going to make it or get through it or get to where you want to be in the future—even if it's just managing to get through the day. When I get to this point, I often start thinking about my own desires and plans instead of trusting in God's plans. Ultimately, what I am looking for is purpose, but when I’m overwhelmed, I tend to choose the easier and more comfortable route, which often leads nowhere.

When we lose our sense of purpose in who we are or where we are going, it becomes tempting to think we have to do life on our own and make our own way. It can also cause us to become complacent with our responsibilities and choose the path of least resistance. This can be as innocent as not following through with cleaning your house or finishing that project you started years ago. But it can also be as significant as not being the friend or husband or wife whom you need to be in a relationship. There’s only one way to make significant changes—to get to where you want to be—and it takes sacrifice.

Last weekend, Seth Oswald highlighted in his message the importance of trusting God and honoring his plans for your life rather than your own. It is often in the areas of your life where you feel as if you’re not going to make that you need to seek God the most through prayer, praise, and reading his Word. When you actively pursue God’s purpose and plan—even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, feels risky, or means disapproval or discomfort—you open yourself to allow God to work in you and through you. It is through your trust that God will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

This is a verse I often go to when I need to seek direction from God about his plans for my future. It challenges me to follow God's will instead of my own, even when that means personal sacrifice. Our God is good, and we can always trust him with the outcome (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11). At the end of the day, instead of just saying, “I made it,” I try to take the next step to return to the purpose God gave me.

Questions:
Is there an area of your life where you feel as if you’re not going to make it? Is something preventing you from seeking God's will?

What do you need to sacrifice to get to where God is calling you to be?

Next Steps:
Identify the areas of struggle in your life. Prayerfully submit these to God, trusting him with the outcome and ask him what his next steps are for you. Pray when you feel like you are not going to make it.

Prayer:
God, I have this profound truth that when I trust you, you will carry out the future, even when it feels like I’m not going to make it. Help me find your purpose for my life, so that I may obediently follow the plans you have for me. I know I can’t do it on my own. Please help me root out the pride and fear that prevent me from making the sacrifices I need to make along my path. God, I don't want to live out each day saying, “I made it”; instead, help me return to the purpose you have given me. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Luke 8:15
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.