Directing My Steps

My favorite chapter in the Bible is Proverbs 16 because it’s full of hopeful truths. Solomon discusses many different things throughout this proverb, but the proverb has one main theme: God’s authority and direction in our lives. Even though God is sovereign over every human-produced plan, we still often try to make our plans happen.

Most people make plans for their lives as they grow up. I, too, have made plans for my life. But truth be told, I don’t know how my life will actually look in a few years—or even a few hours! I could be single, or I could be married and have children. I could be living in the town where I grew up, or I could be living in a new place. I could have an amazing job, or I could have a terrible job.

That’s why Proverbs 16 is such a comfort to me. I don’t have to worry about the future because God directs my steps. No matter what happens, I can trust that God will open the right doors at the right times.

Ups and Downs of Life

It’s so important to commit our plans to the Lord because life is full of uncertainties. Change happens (often very suddenly and unexpectedly). If we cling too tightly to our plans, we won’t be able to embrace God’s plans for us—which are honestly much better than our own plans! It’s okay to dream about what our lives will look like, but God’s perfect plan will ultimately prevail.

I haven’t experienced many major changes in my life, but I’m about to experience a lot of changes all at one time. I’m honestly terrified about letting go of the familiar and embrace the unfamiliar. I’m not ready to enter the unknown.

But perhaps it’s time for me to loosen my grip on my plans for my life and trust that the future—though it isn’t known to me—is known to God.

Surrendering Dreams

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord…Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established…The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:1,3, 9 NASB1995)

Surrendering our plans to God is a conscious decision that we all have to make. But if we choose to do it, we won’t regret it.

I can’t promise that you’ll attend your dream college or get your dream job or marry your dream guy or own your dream home. But I can promise this: God’s plans are so much better than your dreams. If you follow His plans, your dreams will fade in comparison.