The rive

The rivers and creeks around Duluth have been really flowing strong lately!  I received an email from my friend Mark Paavola at the Encounter about this and in it he said…I’ve been thinking of the difference between how man directs water compared to how God does.   If we want to get water from point 'A' to point 'B' we would build a canal in the shortest path - a straight line.  However, when God creates rivers and streams they meander, twist and turn until they arrive at their destination.

Proverbs 21:1 says…”The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

When I plan my life and set my goals, I always imagine and expect the path of least resistance.  I always map my course in a straight line.  I have found that God turns my life in a variety of directions.  'My plans' very rarely go according to my plans.  God sees my life differently than I do.

I see the destination as the key, whereas God views the journey as vital.  I see what I need to do.  God is more concerned with who I am becoming while on the journey.  He takes me down a winding, turning path to allow me to experience life so I can become more of the person He's created me to.  I see obstacles and misdirection, He sees refinement and process.

Lord, I thank you for directing my steps.  I praise you for being concerned with who I am becoming.   Help me to accept the detours and changes in 'my plans' with grace and patience.   Help me to accept the blessing of submission to your plans and ways.  I love you Father.