One of the most exciting yet sometimes frustrating things about living out our faith is determining the direction that the Lord is leading us in. It is exciting, because there is nothing like finding yourself in the moment of discovering the goodness of the Lord, as opportunities unfold before us. It can be frustrating, because our faith is always exercised when we face challenges along the path. Is there any instruction that the Bible can offer us?
King Solomon gives us wisdom in seeking the Lords direction for our lives in Proverbs 3:5-6,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
From this passage we can see three directions and a promise. First, “You must trust the Lord with all your heart” (v5). This means to “rely” and “depend” upon Him with a sense of being “completely confidant and feeling utterly safe.” It is recognizing who we truly are and who He is, to be completely convinced of His concern and care for you. We are to rely and depend upon God with “all our heart” meaning, our reasoning, thoughts and emotions. A growing dependence upon God is a fundamental characteristic of spiritual maturity.
Second, “You must not lean on your own understanding” (v.5). When we are faced with the uncertainty of our circumstances, we naturally draw from our understanding of what we can see (“What is going on here?”), and then past experiences (“What have I seen like this?”). We know our understanding is limited, but it easier to lean upon what we can see or have seen, than to trust a God we can see. God is our most reliable source of wisdom (James 1:5).
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