Gratitude

Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning with a heart full of gratitude for all that you have brought me through. Countless seasons of confusion are behind me now because of your faithful guidance, always walking beside me in the storm. When I cannot see the path ahead you place my steps. Even when the world around me is shaking, you put me on firm foundation. I have long ago realized that I cannot do this life on my own. My way is futile. There is nothing I can do outside of your providence. You are my protector and my strength, and aside from you I am powerless. I meditate on Psalm 91,

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’”. 

My love for the Lord directs me. Reverence for the Father inspires obedience and ruthless personal examination to ensure my life is truly being led by the will of God. So often it seems we’re on life’s proverbial treadmill, always sprinting but never moving forward. We get laser focused on goals, work and dreams that we hyperextend ourselves to get the things we want. I have long been guilty of grinding myself down in the name of many virtues- shrouding my work in the notability of providing for my family, or creating value professionally, or the overall pursuit of excellence - all things that are not inherently bad, they were just pursued without coming to the Lord first to seek His plan over mine.

I sit this morning at the altar of God and lay my life before Him. There is no agenda, other than the fact of removing my agenda, and bringing some of the most important things to me to lie down at His feet. Lately I have been wrestling the weight of decision, feeling pressured by the world to move in a particular direction. The old me would have dissected all the virtuous reasons for taking up that path, but experience has taught me that good intentions can often disguise ungodly distractions. Today I rest in the truth that I don’t need to do anything - God’s plans cannot be thwarted. Before I take a step in any direction, I earnestly pray for discernment and that I be able to clearly hear the voice of my Father. It is a beautiful truth remembering that no matter what we do in life, we are promised that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). God will be with us always, but I also want Him to be leading in front of me rather than just walking beside me. 

Give me strength, Lord, to follow you. Show me your way. Not that it be a path of least resistance, but it be a path that is anointed with your blessing. I pray not for prosperity, but for your wisdom…the most valued treasure in knowing your heart. Give me your eyes to see your perspective and your ears to hear the voice of our Father loudly. This is the true essence of walking with the Lord.