I can recall a time when I tried to re-assemble my stereo system without consulting the owner’s guide. I don’t know how many times I had to connect, disconnect and re-connect the wires. Much to my dismay, each time there was still no sound. After more than an hour, I got so frustrated with my efforts I finally consulted the owner’s manual and had the system operational in less than five minutes. Unfortunately, all too often we adopt this same approach to life. We either ignore or outright disobey God’s instructions and try to figure things out on our own. Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t given up on you despite all of the times you’ve failed Him? How is it that God remains faithful to His unfaithful creation?
God has a plan for each of our lives. But truth be known, we’re not always cooperative with His plan. We tend to wander from His will. When we stray, God knows we won’t return to Him on our own, so God goes to extraordinary lengths to orchestrate His children’s return. The thing that gets on my nerves about God is the instructional method He uses to get you back in sync with His will. God’s purpose for your life remains intact even when you veer off course. He’ll allow you to paint yourself into a corner until you become imprisoned by your own circumstances. Sometimes, our response is to become stubborn in our rebellion. But God uses adversity and affliction to drive you out of what I call comfortable captivity. He’ll allow your situation to become so bad until when He says, “Can you hear me now,” you finally listen. Adversity and affliction are God’s instructional methods. They not only get your attention, they’re very effective teaching tools. They put such a squeeze on you until eventually you align with God’s will.
In Isaiah 30:21 God says, “this is the way” to a people who had turned their backs on Him. Although faced with great difficulty, the Israelites sought to remedy their own situation. The real problem was their situation demanded a new level of trust in God they were unwilling to submit to. Yet God pursued them. I couldn’t help but wonder why such a holy God would pursue such a sinful people. Why does God continue to pursue us despite all the times we fail Him? It’s because God’s purpose for your life is so strong it can’t be circumvented by your mistakes. He makes provision for when you make a wrong turn on the road to destiny.
The word “way” in Isaiah 30:21 has a three-fold meaning. First, “it’s a route or fixed path that pertains to destiny.” This means your destiny is fixed! Next, the way involves conduct. It’s a manner of living. We’re not to live any old way. We’re to live a life of holiness and righteousness as we travel on the road to destiny. Finally, the way is a distance between two points. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But we don’t always walk the straight and narrow. We tend to make wrong turns. But, like a car’s GPS system, when you make a wrong turn, God recalculates the route to get you back on track. There’s an appointed destination God has determined within Himself you are to reach. God will only allow you to stray so far. You can delay, but you can’t escape His purpose. There’s no way out of God’s determined will.
So, what do you do when you don’t know what to do, and the trials of life bear down on you? Make God your first choice and not your last resort. Seek the Lord’s help and guidance. Then submit to God’s instruction and the way He leads you. Stay on course. Your obedience will reap a multitude of blessings.
Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
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Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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