1 Thessalonians 3:11

                                            being directed

In verse 11 Paul says, “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.”  Paul is not demanding God to take him where he wants to go, nor is he planning to force his own will in regard to his own whereabouts.  He uses the word,  “may”,  implying a prayer and hope, but it is not a demand nor does it carry with it an absolute guarantee.  This is a good reminder to hold our plans lightly, trusting that if things don’t turn out as we currently desire, God is still at work in our lives and in our situations.

I believe there is another subtle message in this verse that has to do with God’s relationship to our situation.  Read the verse again and then answer the question, “Is God more like the ‘Grand Watchmaker who plans and designs the world then sits back and lets it roll’ (as the Deists claim), or is He more like the ‘loving Father intimately involved in our lives’?”  Paul apparently has a clear opinion on this—our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ—directs our way!  He cares about where we are and what we do!

But how does God direct us?  Through circumstances?  Other people?  Our own desires?  He may sometimes use any of these, but we must remember these can all be used to influence us for good or for evil.  Scripture, if we are willing to take it in its entirety, will consistently influence us for our own good as well as the good of others.  It may not tell us specifically where to go, or when, but it will tell us  1) what is of true value, and 2) how to move forward with a right attitude and a pure heart.

Most Christians will say that they want God to direct their ways.  And most Christians probably also have a preference about where they end up.  The real question, I believe, is will we submit our desires to the scrutiny of the  Bible, and will we trust God with the outcome even if it is not what we necessarily hoped for at the outset.   I personally, could use continued growth in learning to follow His direction.  How about you?

 I think the first step is humility in understanding that I don’t necessarily see the whole picture.  The second is learning to watch for and listen to God as He guides and directs in a variety of ways –all of which should line up with scripture.  And finally, to trust that He has our very best interests in mind.

Read and Pray:   Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 58:9-14, Jeremiah 29:11-13