As I was sitting in my hammock today while it was raining, trying to finish a book that I had started months ago, an old friend messaged me on Facebook and asked, “How can I know that I’m in the center of God’s will, and why do I feel like every step I take is in the wrong direction?”
To her and to whomever else has feelings or thoughts alike,
I don’t know. I honestly don’t know how we can fully know what being in the center of God’s will looks or feels like. However, I do know that the only thing you will ever rest in is in the promises that God has given you through scripture. Nothing else is going to be eternally satisfying. Everything in this life is fleeting. Clothes, money, relationships, school — everything. God and his Kingdom are forever, eternal, and they’re the only thing that will stand through the ages and NOT be shaken. Because of His sacrifices, you live IN those promises. You can’t be shaken by the troubles of this world, or by the uncertainty of what tomorrow holds. You can’t be shaken when Satan is prowling ready to attack. You can’t be shaken when all of your plans seem to crumble before you. Your identity is in The God of this universe and He lifts you up. He gives water in scorched lands. He heals brokenness. He makes beauty out of messes. He restores in you the joy of your salvation. You just have to trust that He’s guiding your footsteps. If you are going through something difficult… God’s got this. He is in complete control of whatever it is. Sometimes we think that God is in heaven with his fingers in His ears ignoring our prayers, but He is not. He hears you. This may just be His way of making you become completely reliant on His timing and His judgement. Just hold on. Our God is so faithful and He is closer than you may think right now. Rest in that.
Maybe that’s you tonight. If so, just be patient. Maybe these are the times that you just need to stop thinking, stop trying to figure it all out on your own, stop over analyzing it, and stop trying to look for all of the answers. When you don’t see the answer in the natural realm, you know it’s probably time to stop leaning on your own knowledge and lean on God’s. You can’t do this all by yourself and you certainly can’t do it over night. Sometimes I think our very own thoughts are our worst enemy. You can’t let fear and dread distract you from what God is trying to speak to your heart. I think that’s why the verse says we can’t lean on our own understanding — sometimes I truly think that only God understands… We have to take the time to shut off our fear and our worries and our distractions and listen to what He is trying to tell us. This is when faith rises up. This is when, all of a sudden, you’ll feel a moment of hope even when things seem impossible. Purpose doesn’t come from the promise of a future or knowing that you are in the center of God’s will. It’s trusting that Jesus is enough during the times that you don’t.
Psalm 31:14-15
…Your time is in His hands.