Direction

Just Another Day?

DrJayCook Christian Life, Direction , , ,

Does the following sound familiar?

You get up on Monday and do what you have to do to make it through the day.  You do the same thing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Saturday and Sunday might offer you a small break, but you know Monday is coming.

When I look at most people, their lives resemble the pattern above.  Life is dull, boring, and often dreadful.

Oscar Wilde was correct when he stated, “To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people exist, that is all.”

Do you really believe that existing is all that life has to offer?  Is life nothing more than a routine?

Though it often seems like most people are aimlessly wandering through life, that does not have to be true for you.  If you are a Christian, you can know and live out a purpose that is much bigger than just existing.  You see, Proverbs 16:4 states: “The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose.”

That includes you and me.  But whether we discover that purpose and live it out is the choice of each of us.

From my studies and experience, I would like to offer some suggestions.

First, pray.  Begin asking God to show you what your life could be.  Ask Him to help you be spiritually prepared to follow His leadership.  And keep praying.

Second, consider your strengths.  There are things that God has enabled you to do (both natural and learned things).  God does not give us abilities for no reason.

Third, consider what gets you excited.  We are all different, and God gives us passions that are suited for each person.

Fourth, get the input of some godly friends.  They know you and they know the Lord.  They might be able to tell you things that you cannot see.

Fifth, begin with small steps.  When you have an idea of what God wants of and for you, begin doing it.  Start small.  Build your knowledge and skills in that area.  Take larger steps bit by bit.

Sixth, help others.  You are surrounded by many others who do not know what to do.  Help them discover the life that they should be living.

And remember that Jesus said, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10)

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I Cannot See It

DrJayCook Direction , , ,

Do you remember Bob Ross painting on PBS?

He created amazing paintings and made it look easy.  You may remember one of his famous sayings: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”  Put a blob of paint on the canvas, and he would turn it into a beautiful tree, mountain, or other item.

Bob could see the big picture.

My dad and I loved to hunt.  One morning in a new area, he left me on a ridge.  It was freezing, I was young, and I thought I would feel better if I was walking.  I was sure that I knew the layout of the land (that I had never explored), so I set off.  You can imagine what happened.  I lost my way.  I could not determine where I was.  I saw trees everywhere, but I could not see where I was.  I guess I could not see the forest for the trees.

Life is like that.  We are plodding along, dealing with one issue at a time, and never seeing the big picture.  We travel so far that we lose our bearing, and we do not know where to go or what to do.

There have been plenty of times when I have dealt with schemes of people with evil intentions, and it seemed like their schemes had destroyed the plans that I did have.  But when I have trusted God, He always proved faithful.  Things turned out like Joseph stated to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: “‘You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result – the survival of many people.’”

So, why do we not trust Him more?  Why do we not remember His faithfulness when we need Him most?  Do we not remember the promise He made to Israel (which still lines up with His character today)?  “‘For I know the plans I have for you’ – this is the LORD’s declaration – ‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The big picture is not easy to see when you are surrounded by trees.  The mistakes do not look like happy accidents when you are dealing with the pain.  But God is faithful; He never breaks His word, and He is not going to start with you.

I finally walked out of the woods into a clearing – not knowing where I was.  And then I heard a whistle.  My father’s whistle.  I was no longer lost.  I was no longer alone.  I was SO happy.

And it never fails.  No matter how thick or dark the woods may seem.  My Heavenly Father’s whistle always guides me to safety – to a future and a hope.

Your path may not be clear.  But He is there.  Trust Him.

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