I Want It That Way
Sometimes, you just want to do things your own way. You have what you want in mind and you just want to go for it, without anyone’s input and without anyone telling you why you shouldn’t do it. It could be something positive, like making productive plans for your future, or it could be something negative, motivated by your selfish desires. But when you start relying on yourself, you drift away from God. You have to remember to keep God involved in every area of your life; to stay close to Him by reading the Bible and praying; and to consult with Him regarding everything you do. We need direction from the One who designed our lives and has a better view of it. We must remember that He sees all, from the beginning to the end, and that He wants to help us along the way. He can help us avoid pitfalls and lead us along the best path. So why wait to run to Him when your plans backfire?
As a college student, sometimes I’m tempted to follow what everyone else is doing. They act carefree and are their own guide, and it seems like they’re doing just fine or even better than me. Business majors excel in their ventures, and art majors create masterpieces, and opportunities always seem to come their way. When people are succeeding under their own guidance, it’s easy to say, “I want in!” But when people act outside of God’s plan, you eventually see the consequences. They are happy and progressing one day, and then, all of a sudden, things start falling apart and they begin to feel lost. Sometimes, confusion and depression hit and they don’t know who to turn to for help.
However, we as Christians have a Father who delights in spending time with us and wants to help us succeed in all we do. He has good plans for us. Even when we don’t understand what He’s doing sometimes, we can trust His plans because we know He loves us, and we can look back and see all that He’s done for us in the past. So don’t compare your life to the lives of others who seem to live life without limits. You’re not missing out on anything! In fact, when you stay in God’s will rather than constructing your own, you’ll find that there’s more peace, joy, blessings, and provision, because you’re living the life that He created you specifically to live.
So, the next time you have to make a decision, big or small, ask Him to guide you. And when you are presented with an opportunity, ask Him if it’s part of His plan for you. When you do, you’ll find that you’ll sense God’s promptings more clearly as you rely on Him. It may be an open or closed door (as in opportunity) or a sense of peace in which direction to go, but you will know that He is with you. It’s freeing because you are in the guiding and protective hands of your loving Father, Creator, and the Almighty God.
So trust Him, and when you do, you will be blessed better than anything you could’ve planned. I want it that way, instead of my own way. What about you?
Verses: Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV, James 4:13-14 NIV, Psalm 147:11 GNT
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow…” (James 4:13-14 NIV)
“…He takes pleasure in those who honor Him, in those who trust in His constant love.” (Psalm 147:11 GNT)
