Proverbs 3:5-6, New International Version

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Most people spend huge amounts of money and time planning for their future, and the future of their families. They may spend money on life insurance, so that their family is taken care of if something happens to them. They may obtain education, so that they can earn a living and provide for their family. They may store away a large portion of their income, so that they can retire one day and live what they believe will be a comfortable life. Many Christians also do these same things, but I just wonder, how many of them are doing these things simply because that is what the world has said is the right thing to do?

I am in no way saying that saving money, having life insurance, or seeking to further your education are bad things, or that is if you are doing those things then you must not trust in the Lord. But, the question that I want to raise to you, and that I hope you think about, is this, have you asked the Lord what He wants you to do? We are so easy to quote Bible verses and talk about seeking the will of the Lord, or following His direction, and yet when we examine the lives of many Christians we see that so much of their lives are based on their own planning. How many of us truly trust the big decisions of this life, and the things that involve our time and our money, to the direction of the Lord?  

As you go through the next few days I hope that you will take some time and take a look at your life. Consider these thoughts as you do. How much of your life have you built with the will of the Lord in mind? Do you have a retirement account? Do you have life insurance? Do you have vacation plans? Do you have education goals? Do you have career goals? Now once you have thought about these questions go a little deeper. Why do you have these plans and goals? Is it because you want to be what the world says is successful? Is it because you want to give your children the best life you can? Is it because the world says that these are the things you should be doing? The answers to these thoughts are extremely important, because they get to the very heart of the matter—your motivation in the light of Christ.

My hope for my life is that if someone were to ask me why anything in my life is structured in the way that it is, I would respond with only one answer: Because the Lord told me to. You see, it doesn’t matter if you have insurance, or a retirement account, education plans, or vacation plans, or any other plans—it only matters if you have sought the will of the Lord for your life, and done as He has instructed you to do. I pray that as you consider this truth this week, and if you have not done so already, that you would pause to seek the Lord for what He has planned for you. Seek His way, and He will be faithful to answer, if only you will yield to Him!