Obtaining God's Direction Through Our Actions

I am always amazed when observing children’s behavioral patterns, especially infants. Think about this for a moment: a newborn comes into the world for the first time, yet this infant has the innate ability to influence or guide adults through their crying. When the baby cries, we quickly respond, using various methods to soothe and comfort them.

We explored different methods, including feeding, rocking, and singing, to find the most effective way. During this time, the baby didn't use any words or gestures, such as finger-pointing, to communicate. Instead, the child's actions were the only way they could tell us what they needed. We had the option to stay still, but that would have only made the child more upset and us more frustrated. Instead, we kept trying different ways to connect and understand.

Many people who have reached this point in the year are somewhat frustrated with pastors, religious leaders, and similar figures who start each year with slogans like, "This is your year," "This is your season," or "God has granted you favor this year." However, none of these promises have come true, and you're no longer interested in hearing more of these messages.

However, they were likely correct; the issue arises when you become inactive in response to what these leaders have said. Many people are under a false belief: when their leader claims that God will bring a turnaround or provide a financial breakthrough, they passively wait, do nothing, and tell others, "Pastor said God will give me double for my troubles."

Our Bible is clear: there is a way that seems right to us, but it ultimately leads to failure or destruction (Proverbs 16:25). When our leaders speak words over our lives, we then mentally plan how it should happen. When our expectations are not met, we become frustrated. Still, God has made it clear that his thoughts and ways are entirely different from ours and that his word cannot return to him without accomplishing what he has spoken (Isaiah 55:8).

God expects you to act when He provides you with a word. Your efforts will bring about the realization of His promise. Some may wonder, Why doesn't God just give me clear direction so I can follow it? The reason is that, knowing all things, He understands that if He simply verbalizes the instructions, you might doubt or overlook them because they don't align with your plans. For example, His command to Adam was straightforward: not to eat the forbidden fruit. That sounds simple, yet we all know how that turned out.

God's word over your life is consistently confirmed through immediate opposition and challenges, NOT because of you! Remember the parable of the sower (Matthew 13). Jesus explained that the wicked one, the devil, comes for the word, not the person. Keep this clear in your mind: it is only because of God's word over you that you face affliction or challenges. The opposition you encounter confirms the validity of the word spoken over you. These difficulties and challenges will push you to act or react in ways you wouldn't normally.

Let's turn to the Bible and examine a classic story that will reveal this remarkable truth to reinforce my point. In Genesis chapter 12, remember how God gently instructed Abram, who would later become Abraham, to step out of his comfort zone and leave everything he knew. God assured him that He would not only make him into a great nation but also bless him richly, making his name renowned and a source of blessing to others. To make all of this happen, Abram would surely need support and resources along the way.

Interestingly enough, after God spoke all these words over his life, guess what happened next? In the same chapter, verse 10 reveals a famine in the land, which would be equivalent to a recession. Abram still believed the word over his life in the face of famine and continued.

The famine prompted Abram to journey into Egypt, something he would usually avoid during good economic times. In verses 14-16, Abram and Sarai deceived Pharaoh, leading Pharaoh to bestow gifts upon Abram, including oxen, sheep, donkeys, servants, and camels. This shows that God's promise over his life was beginning to unfold, albeit not in the way Abram expected. Nonetheless, Abram trusted the promise and embraced the famine as part of God's plan, which ultimately led to great wealth. Praise God, Abram was able to see the bigger picture.

I want to share this: every challenge, problem, or difficulty is like a gentle nudge calling you to take action. Remember, God has allowed these situations to happen; He is all-powerful and could have stopped them. Instead, these moments are about Him guiding you to two essential lessons: A) Trust in His word over your life, and B) Follow the path He shows you.

I would be remiss if I did not include this treasured piece of information. The Bible did not say all things were good. Instead, it says that all things will work together for our good if we love God or are called by God (Rom 8:28). This is vitally important because we often assume that God is not working for us when bad things happen. We then begin to fight what is seemingly not of God instead of investigating where God directs us. Remember the phrase "All THINGS," inclusive of good and evil, and are all supervised by God to lead us to the promises He has made to us.

Ultimately, the guidance to attain a divinely intended outcome for challenging situations such as an unsatisfactory marriage, fractured relationship, demanding superior, stagnant employment, and a seemingly cyclic life begins with personal commitment to righteous actions and the conviction that all circumstances will serve your best interests.

Kevin L A Ewing

kevinlaewing@icloud.com

kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

www.kevinlaewing.com