Hi there
I think Newton is the one attributed with the law that says, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” If his theory/law holds true, it also means that we have the right to chose how we respond to every single situation in our lives. Today’s Holy Nougat helps us to figure out how to respond.
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalms 32:8 NLT
Now this is a promise to hold on to. God; El Elyon, Elohim, YHWH, our Creator; has offered – NO, has actually promised to guide us on our life’s journey. Isn’t that absolutely divine? For when we walk in obedience to God, we’ve automatically secured the best plan for our lives. Simple and straightforward right.
Not
For without a doubt, the ‘best’ pathway comes with brambles, blocks and even bloodshed. Best doesn’t always equal trouble or stress free, and therein lies the problem! We are often quick to assume that if God is behind our choices, all will run perfectly and without blemish, since God is perfect. And that is a reasonable assumption.
But sin
When the First Couple faced that First Decision regarding their (our) lives; their Sin Problem became ours. And since their Sin Problem became ours individually AND collectively, we each also inherited the right to make the wrong choices. The problem is, in the same way that their individual choices had far-reaching effect on each other as well as Future Generations, so is it with our decisions and in turn, our Sin Problem.
It’s like the Ripple effect of A single stone thrown in One spot in the water. As that stone connects with the water, the entire area is disturbed, first indicated by ripples on the surface. So it is with our actions wherever we go – Good and Bad. And although God has a path prepared for us, our interaction with others (who may or may not have chosen God’s Way) is not always a positive ripple on our lives or theirs.
The challenge is, when life does Not go as smoothly as we expected under God’s jurisdiction, we don’t always check to see whether an object has opted to interact with us. Rather we make the worst assumptions about God AND the ripple, to the extent that we sometimes choose to mistrust God, Whose promises remain true and Whose motive for us and our lives remain pure. So we check out, and stop listening to God or seeking God’s guidance.
If ever that’s our response, that’s when we made the Wrong Choice; which in turn impacts others, again both positively and negatively. Thankfully, most times our stories don’t end in that moment. Which means God is Still able to redeem it and get us on the right (best) pathway.
If we so Choose
And that’s what it boils down to – the choice we make to return jurisdiction over our life’s path to God. And with God, it is ALWAYS With God, a collaborative relationship, where we can Choose – each time – our individual response to the ripple in our ponds. As we make the decision moment by moment, let us be reminded that God not only created us, but God has a Multi-dimensional view while watching over us. So God sees even the long-term effects of each ripple, and is able to steer us on the best path even then.
Ripples or no ripples; God’s got us. Let’s also get God.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
