Growing Up

I know this is very similar to my last post but this is something I recently wrote for LC's spiritual life's weekly news letter and wanted to share...

Unfortunately part of growing up (which most of us are in such a hurry to do when we are younger) is learning how to make difficult decisions. There’s no way to learn how to make these decisions without actually going through the process, being a little (sometimes a lot) nervous, and occasionally making a few mistakes that you can learn from along the way. The hardest part of this process is that everyone is going to want to tell you their experience and give you some advice. These people have wonderful intensions and are trying to help in any way they can but a lot of times you get into a situation where in your head you have 27 stories and 34 different sets of advice just swirling around which can make it very difficult to make a clear and purposeful decision. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t ask for advice or that you shouldn’t take the advice that people are giving you because it can be very valuable. What I am saying here is that you need to make sure you sit down and make time with God to make your own decision. Sit quietly and listen to what He is trying to tell you and guide you to do. Give your decision over to God completely and see what He will do with it. He will do far greater things than we can ask or even imagine.

I heard a podcast the other day from a pastor in South Carolina that I really enjoy where he was talking about persistent prayer. Sometimes we get so discouraged because we keep praying and praying for certain things to happen and sometimes they just don’t happen. His outlook on this occurrence is that we are asking for ordinary things and we serve an extraordinary God. He has much bigger plans for us than we have for ourselves. If he doesn’t seem to be answering a prayer of yours just wait and be patient because He has something much bigger and more extravagant in mind. The take home point here from my ramblings is that if you are really thinking and praying about a decision please sit down quietly with God and just listen and feel what He is doing and where He is moving. He is incredible, extravagant, and well just unpredictable sometimes, but He is always there and He always loves and cares for us. Remember that every day and you will do extraordinary things with your life!

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

“For I know the plans I have for you.” Says the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11