Paths

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.”

We take such care to plan, adjust, and decide parts of our lives to ensure a better future, financial success, or just a project we’re working on. I personally have taken the path of most resistance to get where I am today. I chose the hard path. I’m assuming some of you as well have started out on the hard path and turned back. You’ve thought to yourself “this is easier if i do it this way”, but that way just leads you to regrets and thoughts of what you could’ve done.

If you’re like me and you took the hard path you’ve probably had more bad times than you care to admit. Days spent asking why, days spent crying for no reason, or being angry for no reason other than the path you chose took you to a dark place you didn’t think you’d recover from, but the above verse brings myself comfort in this situation, The Lord establishes my steps, and yours alike. The means if we truly believe in His ultimate sovereignty over His creation these plans were established before creation. That is a great comfort to me knowing that before all of this creation, before the revolutionary war, and before the roman empire I was thought of and my plans established (Revelation 13, Romans 8)

These paths, I believe, give us the appearance that we chose them, but scripture has shown me that my path was chosen long before I walked the earth. If you study the scriptures I know you will find the same. So whether you believe you’ve chosen the easier path or the hard one the decision is ultimately up to our sovereign creator.

If you have been dealt the easier path praise God for it and do not look into what could’ve been. Look at what is. Look at what you can do in your current situation to be of service, make Him known, and to give him the glory for the blessings He has given you.

If you’ve been handed the harder path, again, praise God for it. The paths may be different, but we’re each called to do something different. Since we are all called to something different it would only make sense that our paths would prepare us for what the calling is. If what you're calling is men’s ministry you may have a hardened path to be able to connect with those rough and tough men. If you’re called to teach children your path should be easier, relating to them on their level doesn’t require a hard path. Whichever way your life is going, it is going that way according to the plan and purpose God has designed specifically for you. Lean into it. I never want to be the man who shakes a fist at God. I’m dumb. There are numerous topics I don't know, haven’t studied, or just have zero interest in, but our God knows them all. 

Since I believe He knows all things throughout all time I make it a habit of blaming myself and not God. I repent and continue to seek His Will. I suggest you do the same.

In the commentary on Proverbs 16:9 John MacArthur says “ The Sovereign God overrules the plans of people to fulfill His Purposes”

I couldn’t agree more with that. Check out Genesis 50:20, 1 Kings 12:15, 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 for more on God's purposes.