The Bible is full of people just like us, who have heard from God and know His plan but yet still seem to wait years for the fulfillment of what God has asked us to do. Just like them, we have seasons of questioning, frustration, and uncertainty. Yet, once the plan is revealed, we must remain obedient and stay in our lane. We must stick with what God has told us to do and not what others are doing.
“One of the vital keys to your success in the earth is to know the will of God for your life and then to stick closely to what He has revealed to you. If you hold fast to the plan as God gave to you, you position yourself to access a continual supply of His power, provision, and protection.” - page 70
Paul didn’t just deviate - he didn’t even follow God’s plan from the start. From the very beginning, Paul chose his own path and began ministering to the jews when God had specifically instructed him and called him to first minister to the gentiles. Before we point any fingers at Paul, we have to know that we aren’t much different. We default to our own comfort zones, old habits, old routines, old friends, and slip right into the same old troubles, frustrations, and questions. Our fruit and growth are minimal.
Pastor Datha would always say, “When you are unsure of what God wants or if you are unsure of the will of God, go back to the place where you knew God wanted you.” You won’t be free from trouble but you will have supernatural grace and strength.
“There is strength and success in staying the course God puts you on.” - page 81
Instead of letting his new re-created spirit man rule, Paul moved forward and followed his flesh (natural way of thinking). First, he viewed everything through Jewish eyes and allowed his cultural’s thoughts and patterns to keep him from going where God called him to go. He went where he was comfortable around his own people and where he had emotional ties as he desperately wanted his friends and family saved. We all do! But if we follow the plan God has placed in our lives then God will take care of our family!
Let’s trust Him! Be obedient to the call. Each of us is called to the ministry of reconciliation. We should be planting seeds of God’s Word everywhere we go and sharing the truth! If people aren’t asking us in return, “why are you different? How do I get what you have?” (Acts 17:19) then we know that our next step is simply to begin to work on the call of reconciling people to Jesus. Let’s learn from Paul’s mistake and get it right from the start so that God can lead and guide us down the correct path for our lives.
“I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you,
instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life.
I will advise you along the way
and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.
So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn
when I take you where you’ve not been before.
Don’t make me tug you and pull you along.
Just come with me!” - Psalm 32:8-9
God has called us to spread the gospel and be led by His Word and not our own emotions or intellect. As you answer the call begin to watch how God leads and guides you in all of the specific details of your life!