In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
The Bible is full of verses where God desires to fill our days with purpose, His promises, protection, destiny, love, hope, joy, peace and so much more. The more I dig deeper into His Word, the more I see that His plans and His love surround me. His promises are for me and they give me hope, guidance, peace, joy and excitement for the future.
I’ve been contemplating this past year, all that has happened. I see God’s faithfulness. I think of the new goals reached, tasks completed, lessons learned and new memories made. There were so many new experiences, a lot of happy moments, sad moments, celebratory moments and everything in between. Coming to the end of 2022, I’m praying about 2023 and what God has for me and am placing my 2023 calendar before Him and am praying He fills it with His purposes, favor for the assignments He has for me individually, my husband and I and for my family.
I remember this one time as I was sitting in my truck, I felt God speak to me. In my mind, I saw a puzzle piece. I quickly grabbed any piece of paper and a pen I could find and quickly wrote down what I felt God was speaking to me. “You are trying to conform me to your life. I want you to conform your life to and around Me.” What does that mean? I was saying when and where God was allowed. I had my schedule, my plans, my time frame. Sure, He was in my life daily. Sure, I read my Word, went to church, loved on people. I did all of that stuff. But I was limiting Him and I was putting Him in my Little God box. But in His loving goodness, He spoke to me. He wanted more of ME. He wanted me to conform my plans, choices, and timelines to Him. And friends, let me tell you, He wants more of you too.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
His word is full of how He has a plan for me. He watches the paths I take. He ordains my steps and my days. There is nothing that happens in my life that is not first filtered through His hands first.
God is establishing my ways, ordaining my steps, going ahead of me, protecting me. Confession, I’ve grown in my trust in Him so much this year. I liked to know the outcome before I began and I preferred to know the process from A to Z. I was a control freak! I liked order. I liked to write things in my planner and have the timelines and schedules. Some of this control freakishness came from being the oldest sibling, some of it was trauma responses and some of it was just my personality. The renewal of the heart and mind I’ve been going through for the past two years has been the most exciting and the hardest yet it has been the most rewarding! I say more “yeses” to God than I have said “no”. No longer do I have to know the end from the beginning before I give Him my answer. I don’t have to see the whole entire picture before I give Him my “yes”.
God’s dreams for me are so much bigger than my own. His dreams for you are so much bigger than what you’re dreaming for yourself! Those plans are good, sure and solid. I trust my days when they are in His hands. Sometimes, the things I plan are good and sometimes they fail. Sometimes though, I could too easily rely on my own abilities, capabilities, way, intellect, ideas. Why I chose this way for so long, it’s rather disappointing. God’s ways are so much better!
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 The Hebrew word for determines as listed by Blueletterbible.org is: kûn, to be firm, be stable, be established. He has things ordained for me that are good, that He will bring into my life. I’ve seen His faithfulness and goodness all throughout my life. I’m open and ready for Him to establish His plans for my life for 2023 and beyond. He sees and knows all that He has for me and it is good. He is faithful and good! His love endures forever.
If you’d like, say this prayer with me!
Lord, You are faithful and good. Your love for us endures forever. Forgive me for the times I tried to conform You to fit into and around my life. I’m asking you to conform my life to You and Your will, plans, purpose and destiny for me. Establish Your plans for my life. Let me be in step with You and Your plans. Because I know Your plans for me are good, it’s my heart and desire to be in line with Your plans for me. You are in the lead and you are the greatest Guide, Protector, Encourager, Teacher, Abba, Saviour. Your plans are sure and solid. They will prevail in my life. What You purpose for me will come to pass! In Jesus Name, Amen
So friends, show up daily. Give Him your yes daily and I guarantee, You will look back a year from now and be in awe of what He will and can do. Give Him your yes and He will do the rest!
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. Proverbs 3:5-6