Have you ever thought about where you are - and whether or not you are to be there? Granted, many times we go to places we should NOT go.... but if we are 'living in the Word', we are usually where God wants us to be. But we have a free will, and God allows us to do whatever we want, and many times it is the wrong choice. Make sense?
I was reading in my women's devotional this morning about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Caesar Augustus had demanded that everyone go to their place of birth to pay taxes and be counted. Mary, bethrothed to Joseph, went with him to... Bethlehem! Where the prophets had foretold our Savior, the Messiah, would be born. I wonder if she had thought about that as she and Joseph traveled along the road, some 80-90 miles, walking, fully pregnant, sometimes riding on a donkey. Painful, just to think about it. So uncomfortable. But I wonder what her thoughts were. Mine would probably be I was terrified I'd deliver out in the open.
But God had other plans for His child. Jesus was born in a stable. Lowly, perhaps, in some eyes, but still a King above all kings. Remember, even wise men from afar came and bowed down and worshipped Him. And we still do today.
What I'm getting at, is that Mary was 'There'.... right where God wanted her to be.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is an appointed time for everything; and there is a time for every event under heaven."
Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
Where is your 'there'? Where are you at in your life that is currently your 'there'? Are you where you 'think' you should be? Have you given up your dreams of being where you want to be, and settling for where you are?
Do you feel life has let you down and you now go through each day as a routine?
Oh how many times do we let our choices in life drive us; our choices define us? We are who God says we are - not who our spouse says we are, or who others say we are. We belong to Him, and no one else.
You may think you have given up on God because He didn't answer your prayers when you wanted Him to - in YOUR timeframe.... but God has a reason for delaying some things. When we get ahead of Him, we often have to deal with the consequences of being disobedient and doing things our way.
Lord knows I have found that out many times! I often think 'Oh God wants me to do it this way, I'm sure...." but often I am wrong. I need to sit and wait for His appointed time to do what I am to do.
Such as, for example, retirement. Sure, I'd love to retire, in spite of hubby demanding I keep working. He likes the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed; I am 'stuck' working and he knows where I am, and yet, he can do whatever he wants to. True facts. But I have thought about it as well. Yes, I could go ahead and retire.... but the reality is.... if I did, I would lose all of my 'freedom' if I am not in the will of God. I wouldn't be able for us to work out at a gym, and definitely not have personal trainers. I wouldn't be able to go shopping whenever I wanted and buy whatever I wanted. In fact, I'd probably be conserving gas! All things that I consider enjoyable because of having my income, would probably cease. And yes, I have thought about that and am willing to give it all up.
I was raised with nothing; we were probably below poverty level. Many times in the past 40 years we have had nothing. Won't go in to the reasons. But, my income supplies extra things.
I guess what I am rounding back to - is I am where God wants me to be for this moment in time. As I lean in to Him, and trust Him, and listen for His voice..... He has me 'where' I am to be. There is much to be said for my working - many pros and cons. And it keeps my mind active and right now, my body moving.
God is good. I am where I am to be; for the most part, doing what I am to be doing. My dreams of working in a church years ago has finally faded and I know now it must not have been in God's will for me to do so. I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future, and I am confident His plan for my life is much better than the one I have!
And for you too. If you aren't feeling you are where you are to be, doing what you should be doing, why not ask God what does He have for you? You might be surprised.
Blessings!
