Mid-Week Message - When God Says No

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

For the last couple of months, my husband and I have been praying about an opportunity that would have been a new adventure and a new life.  As empty nesters we saw this as a new start to our lives together as man and wife and it truly became the desire of our hearts.  We prayed for it.  We planned for it.  We took different happenings as confirmation and we hoped each day for the call that finalized it.  As time passed and the call did not come we began to question if we were misinterpreting what we thought were confirmation signs.  

I tell you all of this to preface that the answer finally did come and it was a clear, "No."  We were confused at first because we had really believed that the "signs" that we saw were actual messages from the Lord that we should be preparing for the change.  However, we soon realized that we were placing value on those things from our own desire, not because we were hearing from God.  

We do that, don't we?  We have a tendency to make sure we get the message from on high that fits our thoughts on how things should be.  Rather than continuing in prayer and seeking God, we decide that we asked and therefore it will be as we want.  We forget that God is the One ultimately in charge.  He is the One that directs our paths.  He is the One with all wisdom and the One that can see our past, present and future in one glance.  He knows what we don't know.  Sometimes what we think will make us happiest is actually something that would be detrimental to our lives or that would draw us away from Him.

What God asks is that we trust Him.  In order to truly do that, we have to make our requests known but then be willing to let go of them and allow Him to do what He knows is for our best.  Maybe that will mean that we are on target with our desires.  In my experience, however He directs my steps will be far more satisfying and rewarding and will bring Him far more glory.  And isn't that the whole purpose of our lives?  May God direct your steps this week and may you be greatly blessed.