How Far am I Willing to Go?

Last week I had the most interesting thing happen to me. I was leaving work early on a VERY rainy day to go visit my best friend and her daughter in the hospital in Indianapolis. It was going to be an hours drive and I was trying to pick up lunch on the way for both of us. The drive was rainy and I was low on gas. I stopped after about a half hour at a gas station to fill up my car. I had no wallet! I had left it at home. David was willing to drive with Bunny to meet me and bring me my wallet. I drove another half hour back towards Lafayette, with the last 10 minutes of the trip in danger, because my wipers had stopped working! I was nearly in tears and felt like all the signs were pointing me to give up and go home. I told David and he said "but who are the signs from?". How amazingly insightful! We traded cars (and the wiper blades worked just fine for him!) and I drove to Indy. I was about 1.5 hours later than I had hoped, but I spent meaningful time with my best friend, delivering lunch to her, toys to her daughter and offering her a much needed break from sitting watching her daughter go through 48 hours of medical testing. God was not telling me not to go - but I honestly think Satan was. We live in a spiritual battle field and the arrows flying around us are real! It can come in all sorts of forms, but one thing is sure - Satan does not want us doing God's work and he will fight God's purpose every step of the way. In the first chapter of Job we see a fascinating exchange between God and Satan over Job - a man blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. And Satan tests him - not only through physical loss and loss health, but through his friends who were no comfort and gave false counsel to the Lord's will. Satan attacks Jesus through the temptation in the dessert (Matt 4:1-11), in the heart of the Pharisees that sought only to praise themselves and seek His death (Matt 23), through Peter, who speaks against Christ's death (Matt 16:21-23). Following the "signs" we see will not necessarily lead us in the right direction. Following Christ always will.

But following Christ has it's own difficulties. First, it isn't easy! Matthew 16:24 & 25 "The Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake, will find it.'"
Jesus speaks about the end times and says "Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." (Matt 24:9)
Secondly, we cannot rely on our own understanding as to what following God looks like for each of us. Only through prayer and studying the Word of God can we know what He desires for us. Jonah was a prophet to Israel, but didn't like it when God called Him to Nineveh. Peter defends Jesus with a sword in Gethsemane. Paul hold the cloaks of those stoning Stephen with approval and persecutes the church - a Pharisee among Pharisees. Abraham lays with Hagar thinking that he can produce his own heir. Saul, called by God to be the first king of Israel ends up consulting witches in His effort to keep his crown, when the Lord has ordained David to take his place.

We are called to follow the Lord, whereever He leads us, trusting in Him to bring us through. It isn't for us to choose our own path, even when "serving Him". Because if we are only serving God on our terms, then we are serving ourselves. It is pure arrogance to think we understand the Lord's greater plan for our lives and the lives of those around us. We are all lead through various seasons and struggles. Who are we to consider ourselves to be in control? Who am I, to lean on my own understanding?

Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones."

Ealier in Proverbs we are told that wise men seek council, seek learning and cry out for discernment. We are not to travel this journey alone. We are not to try to figure this all out on our own. Not even with the Scriptures by our side! None of us completely understand the Word of the Lord. One of my favorite slogans I've seen on bumper stickers and t-shirts is "Wise men still seek Him". It's usually seen around Christmas, with a picture of magi traveling beneath a start, but it is true of every believer.

Wise men (and women) seek Him first. Wise christians use all of God's blessings in scripture, biblical instruction, christian fellowship, and prayer with the Lord to discern His will. In a world that values nothing more than the self-made man - it is truly the humble who are willing to seek Him first.

There are many areas of my life to examine - marriage, work, school, parenting, friendship, family (non-immediate), service to the church. Each of these must be laid bare before His throne, offered up with no strings attached, for Him to guide me. Dear readers - pray for me. Pray that I could humble myself and let go of my plan, to hear His plan for me. Pray that I would be willing to go the distance, no matter how the powers of hell try to distract me. Pray that I would seek His face in all things.

The road is narrow, but He promises to strengthen us, encourage us and carry us through the journey - to the praise of His glorious grace! Philipians 4:19 - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Thanks be to God!