Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What does it mean to acknowledge something? Being the word nerd that I am, I had to look it up. To acknowledge means to admit something, to accept as fact or truth, to recognize the authority of somebody or something. Acknowledge Him - in all your ways - He will make your paths straight.
I have to ask myself if I acknowledge Him. I consult Him, yes, but do I acknowledge Him? Do I accept what His word says? Do I accept the promptings of the spirit as ultimate authority and truth? Or do I choose to accept my own will as the ultimate authority? I sure try. But many times, I must confess, I lean on my own understanding.
What would it look like to acknowledge Him in all my ways? How would it change my life if I believed the God breathe word in front of me as absolute truth and never ever questioned His authority again? That would look amazing. But…yet I am a sinner. I try, but I fall down. I trust Him for one thing, but not the next. I acknowledge His truths in one area, but hesitate to believe them in the next. I am a work in progress.
However, one thing I can accept as absolute truth is this: when I do acknowledge Him, however painful it may seem, my path is straight. I did not say it is cushy and comfortable and a road filled with daisies and sunshine, but it is straight. There is not a single time that I have followed the promptings of His word or the Spirit and ever ever ever been lead astray. Every single time I do, I find that He knew exactly where He was taking me, even though I questioned the destination.
So why do I continue to hesitate? If I know this to be true; that He absolutely will make my path straight, why do I hesitate? Why do I continue to choose my own way over His, particularly in certain areas of my life? Fear. It all boils down to fear, most of the time. I am afraid of what another person might think or say. I am afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, or not meeting their expectations. I am afraid of disappointing someone I love. I am afraid of what obedience might look like to the unsuspecting onlooker. Might it look strange? Might they think I am odd? Might they wonder what in the world I am thinking? Maybe. They might. But that is not for me to worry about. God is my only compass. He is the one who knows my path, and He will keep me directly on time and on course. What an amazing blessing. I will choose to trust.
Wow. A really hard question. Do I acknowledge Him? I like to think I do but often times I acknowledge myself a whole lot more. That hurts to think about. I do believe I am have something to work on.
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Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse... one that I turn to over and over again to remind me - to acknowledge and trust. And yes, I'm still working on it all!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. My blog touches a bit on the same subject. Now I realize this is it. This is my problem. I don't always acknowledge Him. I sometimes choose to take the less straight path, wasting lots of time winding around, but when I finally acknowledge Him, I end up in the right place. Wouldn't it just be easier to acknowledge Him in the first place? Much easier said than done, though.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said that sometimes the straight path is not the one laced with daisies -- it isn't the easy one, or even the obvious one many times. It's difficult to look at the hard road and choose that one, even if God says to walk that way. But you are right, we look at the hard road and we fear what is ahead. But the truth is, God is with us and He tells us to not be afraid.
ReplyDeleteSo good Steph. Acknowledge Him... Its funny how we twist and complicate something so simple, but I know my own fears have been more persuasive than His Word. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteI love that you are a "word nerd"...it brings new meaning to a verse I thought I understood. I tend to hang out in the consult but not accept category. Good reminder I need to move myself to His path.
Stephanie, You are not alone. How many times have I looked at someone or something else to lead me and not follow God's path. Thank you for sharing your dear words and for showing us that we each need to "admit" and "accept" God's authority over our lives.
ReplyDeleteA few years back the Lord asked me to ask the cashier at the grocery store to church. "Uh-uh, Lord. That's *Awkward!* "
ReplyDeleteThe whole time I was being checked out, walked to my car, and loaded it, I knew I was disobeying. So I dragged myself back in to ask the cashier.
Lo and behold, a friend from church was checking out with her!! We three had the best conversation about the Lord, community and yes, I/we invited her to church.
God certainly does make the path straight despite our 'what ifs' and fears!
Thanks for your words of encouragement and challenge. Good thoughts to remember!
i always ask myself that question "why do i continue to hesitate?" i tell myself, you know that He's there, working, watching. i'm encouraged by this..i needed this reminder tonight.
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