Who Directs Your Steps?

Jeremiah 10:23 “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”

Look around at the ‘inspirational messaging’ that’s being pushed these days. It often goes something like this: “You can do anything you want to do!”,  “Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it!”, “Your only limit is your mind!”.  

Ah, these are such inspirational words and it’s likely, on occasion, we’ve encouraged our sons and daughters with some similar things.  Yet, when we do, what we’re saying isn’t necessarily Biblical advice.  In fact, sometimes it’s quite the opposite. Often, the ‘inspiration and motivation’ are self-focused, not God-focused.

If we are believers, it’s not up to us to determine our steps.  God has a plan for our life and we are called to lay down our lives, our dreams, our goals and, instead, seek the Lord and His will for our lives.  Proverbs 20:24 says “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” 

Look at Genesis and the story of Joseph.  He likely envisioned himself a shepherd for life, settling down and raising his family alongside his many brothers and their children.   He didn’t plan on his brothers betraying him and selling him into slavery.  He didn’t ‘dream and achieve’ a life of bondage and imprisonment in Egypt.  But, oh, he dreamed!!  He dreamed exactly what God intended him to and God used those dreams to position Joseph as the second most powerful man in Egypt and, as such, save the nation of Israel.  Did it play out how Joseph would have envisioned it?  No, not at all.  Yet, God did more than Joseph or his family could have asked or imagined - and it brought glory to God.

Then, consider Esther. Nearly every little girl dreams of being a princess, but Esther’s dream came about much differently.  She was forced into the King’s harem and in the process, had to hide her identity as a Jewess.  Yet, God placed her in the palace ‘for such a time as this’ and used her mightily to save His people.  She never could have planned her steps to get herself into the presence of the King- that would have brought death, not life. She never could have had the impact on a Kingdom without God’s hand and protection. There is no way she could have single-handedly saved a nation without God upholding her and providing the strength and wisdom to accomplish His purposes.

Friends, God’s plans far exceed our own. Our limited minds cannot fathom or begin to imagine the vast impact of what He chooses to do with us, in us and through us. That is true for our sons and daughters as well. Let’s be careful that our ‘hopes and dreams’ don’t distract our sons and daughters from God’s intentions for them.

God’s plan for all of us was set in place before the world was even created.  If left to our own imagination, our lives would be a feeble attempt at making a difference and being successful...and in no way would resemble the amazing story that God weaves for us!  We need to encourage our sons and daughters to seek the Lord, fully, completely, and without ceasing.  His plans and goals for them are far better than anything they could imagine and what He calls them to is exactly what He’s created them to do.  Their path is already determined, it’s up to them to believe and obey.  

Pray today that our sons and daughters would seek the Lord’s will for their life and follow the steps He’s planned for them.

Pray without ceasing.