Happy New Year plus 11 days! Sorry for the late post for this week -- but it's definitely worth the wait (you'll see)!
We started a new series Tuesday about moving into our futures. Dayton started us off with a great topic -- "Decide to Start, Not Start to Decide." (Which, by the timing of this post, I'm obviously still working on.) He began by talking about our age group -- how a lot of us are unsure and indecisive about our future, from college majors to careers to relationships, and so on. We know that indecision is based at least partially on fear of the unknown, and fear of screwing up or getting out of God's will. However, we have to step out in order to accomplish any of the things God has for us. There's no way to move into God's plan if we're not moving at all!
Dayton showed us two examples from the Bible of people who really had the heart of God and fulfilled His will for them. The first one was David (I Samuel 17:20-36). David began to walk out his destiny a result of following the path set before him. Even though David knew the call he had to be king, his everyday job was tending sheep. Then his father told him to take some supplies to his brothers on the battlefield. When he got there and found out about Goliath, he responded with fight instead of fear (unlike the rest of Israel's camp -- they even got jealous that he wasn't scared like them). He didn't do it for fame or glory (although it was offered); he did it because he new it was the thing that honored God. David started where he was, tending sheep, and did what he knew was honorable by listening to and obeying his father, and recognizing God with faith instead of fear. He even got up early in the morning to do what his dad asked. (Okay, I was all for it until that "early in the morning" part.)
The second example was Paul (Philippians 3:4-7). Paul explains that he could boast about his own heritage and accomplishments, but they were worth nothing compared to what Christ had for him. He even uses his persecution of Christians as a sign of his zeal for righteousness (through the law, not grace). But even in his path of persecution God turned him around, and he was a great apostle for God. So often we don't step out and take a chance because we're afraid we might be missing God if we do. Paul was obviously not in God's will, though he thought he was right. But when he found the truth, he changed immediately. God didn't just leave him heading down the wrong path. And he'll make sure we don't continue on the wrong path either, as long as we're moving and actively seeking Him and seeking wisdom from those we know hear from Him.
Dayton also told the story of one of coworkers, who had no problem talking to women, or rather yelling at them when they walked by (Holla!). He would say "Don't be skerred!" of them responding negatively. And we can't be afraid of negativity either, even from God. It's okay to declare a college major (or change it), or to apply for or start a new job, or even ask someone out and start a new relationship (gasp!). If we're not quite right, we have to trust God and welcome his correction. The point was brought up during the discussion that we do get points for effort! God's not going to just leave us heading in the wrong direction, but, like Dayton pointed out, it's so much easier to correct the course of a ship that's actually moving! And even when we've started out and later realize that it wasn't maybe the best decision, since we're seeking God, He can still can good things to happen in the journey, and He does -- 'cause that's what He does.
So to recap:
-- Indecision based on fear will always stop you from reaching your destiny.
-- Do what you know is set before you to do, and what you know is honorable to God.
-- Trust God that He is showing you where to go, and that He'll make adjustments to your course as necessary.
-- Don't stand still (keep swimming, keep just swimming....)
-- God can bring you out of a mistake in your journey, and he can bring good things about during that part of your journey.
It's exactly as it says in Proverbs 3:6 (NIV), "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will keep your paths straight." As long as your goal is after God, even the wrong decisions can be turned around, and they can positive results in the midst of the difficulty. God will make sure of it -- look at David and Paul!
Don't be skerred!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
So, yeah, Tuesday night was really good. Hopefully I won't be the only one to leave a comment...again :-) But what Dayton talked about really stepped on my toes because I'm at a point where I have several big decisions to make and would rather not make any of them because I don't want to make the wrong choice. It's funny that, growing up, we all can't wait until we're old enough to make decisions for ourselves but then when we reach that age, we want someone else to make the decisions for us (or at least, that's how I feel sometimes). Like, for example, I just filled out my application for teaching in Knox. Co. for a job next year. Even though I'm pumped about finally being in the classroom, I'm also a little scared at the thought of being alone with twenty-some little ones, all of them looking to me to learn. But no pressure!! It's like I've spent my whole life preparing for this career but am hesitating at the finish line. But since I know that this is what God has for me, I know He'll work things out and I'll be at the right school, despite my reluctance. I think it's easy to just sit back and say we're scared of...whatever; if we don't make a decision, we can't fail, right? But, as Dayton mentioned, it's tons easier to steer a moving ship than a idle one. We can't let fear stop us from accomplishing what God has in store for us.
this message was very enlightening and applicable in a lot of areas. sometimes even if we're doing something we know is of God we can get burned out on it like serving in church or whatever. but this message is encouraging in that God's not going to leave us there, if we're faithfully serving (i.e.moving our ship) then we're still going in a direction and will be lead of God when the time is right. and i'm glad to have to blog because re-reading what was talked about really encouraged me today.
I have to say this discussion really hit home with me. I constantly hear the comment about "just doing what you know to do" in my head. I kind of makes me mad sometimes (:-)) because of that whole "the definition of insanity" thing, but I guess that's at least part of what faith is; when I'm doing do what looks like the same thing I've been doing for a while (or my whole life), that He's the only One who can make something different happen out of it. It frustrates me a lot of times, but I'm workin' on it. :-)
First of all I think that Dayton did an Amazing job last week! But with that said... I think that this is a topic that can, as amber said, step on everyone's toes in some way. We all allow fear to control parts of our life. If we don't make that decision to walk in faith and trust what God said he would do for us, we will never fulfill his plan for our life. I also want to say that props go out to Alicia, she is doing an amazing job with the blog, she made sound very wise. Or should I say that she did a great job in capturing my wisdom?
I am so impressed. This looks really good. Keep up the great work.
Pastor Tim
I feel so hip. I'm telling my friends I blog. This is a great site. I agree with what Elizabeth said. It is great to have a place to go to view and review info that was discussed.
Post a Comment