Your Path

Imagine yourself walking through the forest not sure which way to go, constantly weaving in and out of trees to avoid obstacles. As you walk, fog blankets over you and everything around you. Your visibility begins to diminish. You come to an overhang of weeping willow trees. Through the bowing limbs, you see a sign before what appears to be a path. You push limbs and leaves away to find there are words carved into the sign. It is very old. As you run your fingers over the letters, you feel a breeze. The letters are familiar, but fog prevents you from reading them. There’s the breeze again. The fog is gently blown away, and the willow limbs part. You try again to focus on the sign. Shock seeps into your body, as you stand frozen. The sign is carved with your name – first, middle, and last. There is no mistaking it. That is you. The breeze continues, and the limbs are swept away to reveal the path. It is for you. You know it. But being cautious, you are afraid. You edge closer and stretch your neck out as far as you can. Plunging waterfalls, fields of fragrant wildflowers, exquisite mountaintops, soft green moss beds, and towering trees are just a few of delights to be found along the path. No person has ever walked this path. As a matter of fact, no one but God knew it existed – until now, until you. This is the path that God carved out with His own hands specifically for you. Sounds pretty amazing but true.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV emphasis added)

God has a plan for each of us. His plan for you will involve something to further His kingdom. God’s ultimate plan for the world is that all will hear the gospel of Christ and come to have fellowship with Him. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. (John 6:40 NIV) You are a part of that plan whether you are aware of it or not. Sometimes the plans we have made for ourselves are not what God had in mind. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19: 21 NIV) Oh, how this verse speaks to me. I am a planner. The smell of a new daily organizer, and the sight of the rows of lines and blank squares make my heart beat a little faster. I love to pour over my planner and fill in the lines with trips, deadlines, and errands. Something about seeing all the squares fill up makes me feel important, like I’m doing something. Honestly, none of my plans are really important when compared to the plans of our Lord. That verse in Proverbs could read, Many are the plans in Carol’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Could you substitute your name in that verse, too?

If we make ourselves available to the Lord, He will use us. He will reveal His specific plan for you if you ask. The plan God created for you wasn’t something He thought of only yesterday when you told Him you loved missionaries. God’s plan for you was created long before that and hasn’t changed with time. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11 NIV)

As you launch into 2008, I challenge you to stop and ask God which way He would have you go. Ask Him to reveal His plan for you and then jump in with both feet. You won’t be sorry. When you are in God’s plan, it truly will be a happy new year!