Stepping back
If you’ve lived on this earth long enough, chances are you’ve experienced something unexpected. Something that wasn’t in your plans. Something that left you with a choice to either give up or adapt. I had one of those experiences last week when I was using the first day of my long-awaited spring break to get the outside of our house ready to enjoy the beautiful spring and summer weather ahead. I had a list of chores to be completed. Each day of the break was carefully planned out. But then, as I was carrying a rocking chair to place on our front porch, I began descending some stairs and missed the last step completely. Lots of pain and swelling, and several x-rays later, and turns out I have a couple of sprains, one that caused at least three fractures on the top part of my foot.
And those carefully made plans? They went quickly out the window. You know the saying - if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans? I think that applies here.
The Proverb writer put it this way: “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
After some of the intense pain subsided, my first response was frustration. What about all of the things on my to-do list?
Then, perhaps it was the whisper of the Holy Spirit, I thought about that practical picture of missing a step being applied to my life as a whole. For a long time, I have been trying to do things in my own power, plot my own course, rush ahead with my own plans. A friend encouraged me to trust God, who had allowed this to happen - and not without some reason.
Perhaps, if I had stepped back rather than forward - both physically and figuratively - I wouldn’t be in this position. If I had prioritized time with the Lord and sought His direction in each step, perhaps I wouldn’t have allowed my stubborn, determined, and wayward heart to get ahead of me. And I don’t mean that we shouldn’t do household chores! I just think the Lord is using this to teach me that I really need to step back, spiritually, and be reminded that my entire life - every breath - is dependent on Him. To be reminded that He longs to have relationship with us, and the very fabric of our souls have been created for the purpose of having relationship with Him. We often put so many other things first, and we miss our purpose, the thing that will bring us the most fulfillment and focus our hearts on eternal matters.
One of the x-rays showed a strange preexisting mass in my tibia. It may be nothing; the doctor is 99 percent sure it’s not anything to be worried about. But it may be something, too. Perhaps the Lord allowed this accident to happen for multiple reasons. Time will tell. But in the waiting, in the slowing down, I am recognizing again His presence, His provision, His promises that outweigh any earthly trial. With my eyes on Him, I can keep moving forward and trust Him to help me not to miss a step as I remain on the path he has paved for me.
May you always keep your mind and heart on Him. Even in struggles and perceived setbacks, remember that He is sovereign, and that His ultimate plan is for us to be in intimate relationship with Him; it’s for ultimate good, as well. Take a step back today, and carefully listen and follow the next step HE wants you to take.