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Guess what? We’re back in the valley now. After three sometimes wonderful, sometimes arduous years living 4,000 feet above sea level, we’ve returned. And it’s so right, so perfect. One of the reasons we moved up there was because Matt said, “I’ve always wanted to live in the mountains.” That wasn’t the only reason but it was a major one. So, we can now say, “We’ve lived in the mountains. This is what we loved; this is what we found challenging,” and now can explore life at 20 feet above sea level in an area of the valley we’ve not yet lived.
We’re excited about the exploration and the settling in. We look forward to the changes because change is a good thing. It always has been, and always will be, especially when the changes in our lives are directed by the One who loves us most. The Bible says,
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ~ Isaiah 30:21
Now, that doesn’t mean we have no say in how our lives go. Rather it means we do the best we can and make the most informed decisions possible, then we invite the Lord to guide us, to let us know if these decisions are the ones we should follow through on. This is how the writer of the Proverbs stated it:
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9
King David experienced this too. Almost half way into his 40-year rule, he was still writing worship songs just as when he was a teenager watching over the sheep. One of the songs spoke of prayers to God, asking that his focus remain true, also that his desires be granted, and the next song he penned thanked God for hearing his prayers as well as for granting his desires. Listen:
In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
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May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all your prayers. ~ Psalm 20:1-5, New Living TranslationHow the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested.
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You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.
You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.
He asked you to preserve his life,
and you granted his request.
The days of his life stretch on forever.
Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. ~ Psalm 21:1-7, New Living Translation
What does that have to do with us today? Everything! You’ve heard me say this many a time: we’re hardwired with the right to choose and must wisely invest in the people around us as well as make good use of the gifts, talents, and time we’ve been allotted. Equally important, it is our responsibility to involve the Lord in our plans, making sure they line up with His will. The New Testament writer, James, explained why:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” ~ James 4:13-15, New King James
So, dear ones, enjoy the journey, your journey, whether it’s a straight path or there are multitudes of detours along the way.
All of Heaven’s best to you and yours,
Margret
