Trusting God to Be Your Guide by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

            pathI know O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

            Our retreat theme this past weekend was “It’s a Jungle Out There: Trusting God to Be Your Guide” and we quickly began to live out the theme. The week of the event we lost a speaker, our Christian humorist fell ill and our Prayer Coordinator and small group discussion leader came down with a nasty respiratory infection and could not participate in the retreat. It changed up the retreat timing and we had to find replacement leaders. As we scurried to make adjustments, all we could do was trust that God was guiding the retreat in the direction He desired it to go.

            I love a plan and an agenda but acting as the retreat MC, at one point, I almost told the participants to just tear up their agenda because God had replaced it with a different plan. He loves to do that to me and is teaching me that I am definitely NOT in control. At the Jungle Retreat, God made His way to the front of the line to direct our steps.

            As it turned out, The Lord knew what was needed at this retreat.  While those we lost were all missed, it was about loosening up the schedule for more discussion and bonding time. The extra minutes also translated into additional prayer time and windows for reflection on all the messages presented during our 24 hour refuge. I am thankful our grip on the retreat schedule was not so tight that we couldn’t let go. By releasing the agenda to Him, God was able to heal and work in the lives of many women. Praise God!

            What about you? Do you have a difficult time changing directions from your own personal plan for your life? Or do you give your plans over to God for editing? Isaiah 58:11 says, The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

            We have to trust that God’s plan for our lives is a whole lot better than anything we could ever dream up. I don’t want my life to look like a dried up piece of land because I insisted on my way.  I want my life to be watered by God and be that beautiful, lush green garden bearing fruit that will last.

            My life belongs to The Lord and He is my guide.  Will I keep writing out plans and agendas?  Yes, but never in permanent ink.

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One Comment

  1. Well said Lisa. If only we can push out the voices of fear so that the voices of faith can come through and we delight in his sovereign promises! Yes, today I will commit my ways to The Lord in everything I do!

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