Riding a bike used to be my favorite thing to do as a kid. All the kids around us had bikes and we went everywhere on them. When I thought was ready for a bike with gears, I asked, but didn’t get one, but my older brother did. I tried once, without his permission, to ride it. Big mistake, taking it down the street. I didn’t get very far before I fell off the bike; I had jammed something up and the bike was un-rideable. As I walked back home dragging the bike, I asked myself, “Now why did you do that? He’s gonna kill you.” He didn’t surprisingly! He was so happy the bike wasn’t broken. He fixed the gears easily.

There are times I have stepped outside God’s will (gotten out-of-gear ) because I thought I knew best. Like any plans that are selfish or built without God, they fell…just like me on that bike. Just as I was afraid my brother would say “no” so I took the bike anyway, I ran ahead without God’s okay. Like I did with my brother, I asked for His forgiveness.

When we ask God to “okay” our plans, He has different ways of answering. For one, He may not answer right away, for His own reasons. He may purposely make us wait for His own timing. He may tell us “No,” for His own will to occur.

But we do know this!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

And this!

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. NKJV

There’s no way we could comprehend God’s plan, even if He explained it. He is just eons and eons ahead of us in years and wisdom. He is God! It sure beats the alternative, running off on our own and making a mess of things. Plus, we want to do HIS will, not ours, so we need to pray about it and take a step in the direction we think He approves us. If we get it wrong, He will shut the door:)

Dear Father,

You have seen me “mess up” a few times too many because my pride or impatience got in the way of sound judgement. Thank You for never giving up on me and always encouraging me that every day is a fresh new day to live for You. Please guide me as I aim each day to please You in all that I do. I love You! Amen

GROWwork:

Think of three things you can do to get “in-gear” with God.

Love and prayers to all of you,

Tina