Series: The Word
Psalm 19:8 ESV
Proverbs 3:5a NIV
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
I learned a little about photography and illustrations from various jobs I had for forty years.
See, as a Pastor’s wife in ministry when we’d move to a new church and I was looking for a job, they’d ask what I’ve done before. I’d been to college and my field of study is Communication which included Speech, with emphasis in written and oral communication.
Because of that I had some pretty interesting jobs.
I’ve been a newspaper editor and photographer for a county paper. I’ve been office manager where I put out informational flyers and pamphlets. I’ve taught about every age in public school, usually in English or Speech class.
My last job was the weirdest and most unlikely job I’ve had. I worked for a mortgage company problem solving issues for customers. That was a change for me because I didn’t use any creative written communication skills.
When I retired I started blogging and I wondered how I’d ever get illustrations for the website. When I prayed about it I felt like God was staring at me.
God was waiting for me to connect the dots.
That’s because it’s a little like creating flyers.
Oh…yea.
Sometimes I wonder if God doesn’t shake his head and laugh while waiting for me to connect the dots.
Psalm 19:8 says:
“the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
The Lord IS right.
If I’ve learned one thing in seven decades it’s that the Lord does have the answer. Even before I ask, God has the answer.
It’s not at all uncommon for God to wait for me to connect the dots.
God is pure through and through.
I know for certain God is pure knowledge and love and the road before me is in God’s hands. I may not know the way, but God knows the way and God will enlighten me. God will show me the way.
But here’s the thing about life.
Since I don’t know the way I have to wait and trust God not only to show me the way, but to help me to connect the dots.
When I did todays illustration you might notice the text and the lines aren’t exactly straight and in line.
The illustration reminds me that’s often how I feel in life. I may have some idea what to say and do today, but I don’t know the entire big picture. Everything in my life is skewed. I have a general idea where I’m going, but the exact coordinates are unknown to me.
It’s a little off ‘kilter’ as we say in Missouri.
The illustration is a little off kilter, too.
So, even though I know that God is right and I rejoice in that, and I know God’s command is pure and enlightened, I don’t know how that’s going to play out day by day.
What I have learned is that I can take comfort in knowing God is right.
I can hold onto knowing God’s love for me is pure.
I know God is enlightened and will keep me posted about what comes next.
Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Trust God.
I don’t have to know all the answers. I don’t have to understand.
Proverbs 3:6 says, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Submit to God.
God has the pathway covered. The path is straight. When you think about it, we have a great ‘deal’. We do not have to worry about what comes next. We do not have to figure out a plan.
That’s because God already knows the endgame and God knows how to get me there.
God really really does know the right way.
Spiritual Practice: Trust God’s Plan
Sit in silence with God. Don’t ask anything. Don’t speak. Just sit in God’s silence. Let God love you.
In God, Deborah
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