Friday, February 17, 2012

Stepping Stones: One Step at a Time…It’s a Journey

February 17, 2012

Transformational Thought


Some days are so busy, hectic … actually crazy. The world keeps on coming at me … phone calls, requests, glitches in the plan, mail, extra bills, problems, new opportunities … these never seem to slow down. In fact, as I get older, the demands on me come faster. Feelings and perspectives of being so far behind wrap their fingers around my neck easily … slowly choking me.

For some people, there are occasional days when the grip is so tight, things seem hopeless. For others, there’s an endless string of helpless or hopeless days. It’s hard to experience and visualize that these hopeless feelings or days will ever end. Some of the problem is how we measure being “behind” or “ahead.” We often get sucked into the world’s standard or metrics. We have limited control over some of the demands coming our way. So how can we actually measure progress against something we can’t control?

What we do control is how we respond to what comes our way … and that’s how we should measure progress. The answer is to measure how well your response to the demands and twists of life is rooted in being focused on God. He will bring peace, comfort and answers, and walk with you through the busyness and demands. He promises to be your guide along the journey, so measure how well you follow your guide, not how many paths you have to choose from.

Ask God to clear your thinking and remove any obstacles that may exist in your relationship with Him. Perhaps you have made some poor decisions or used bad judgment. God is there to forgive you and help you get back on track. Your past always wants to interfere with your present decisions, but it doesn’t have to. Whether or not it gets in the way is determined by how intentional you are in examining and doing something about it.

Today and every day, remind yourself that life is a journey … a series of steps. Identify 2 paths you take that cause you problems. Remember that you can create the environment for change, but God does the changing. You don’t have to keep going down the same paths that lead to trouble. And the Bible assures us that with Him, all things are possible. Let Him be your guide. WITHIN REACH helps you apply His guidance to every decision you make today. Life is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Thank You for being my constant guide. Help me be sensitive … and obedient … to Your guidance. Give me eyes that see and ears that hear Your leading … Your nudging … Your encouragement. Also, when I am off course and on dangerous detours, let me be open to Your will to redirect me back on track even if You need to forcibly push me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die."
Psalm 48:14

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26