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My Goals but God’s Determination – Lectio Divina

January 2, 2011 By Jean Wise

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9


The Lord determines his steps.

I reviewed 2010, Lord, reflecting on my joys, my challenges, and my failures.

I asked Your help in planning ahead – what to work on.  How to grow.  What to try in 2011.

I created the list, hopefully with Your help.

It is complete.

Except for one final action.

I lift up the coming year into Your hands, Lord.

My hopes.

My goals.

My dreams.

I plan, strategize, prepare, and try my best to arrange the future to Your…

No, I will be honest and say this openly. I try my best to control the future to MY liking. My heart hesitates to fully release 2011 to You.

It is hard, Lord to fully trust You. I know I should, but my ego still thinks it holds the power to influence the future. Deep down, I think I have the strength to be in charge. Part of me knows the truth, yet I cling to human power instead of fully letting go of my life to divine determination.




My deepest desire is not to be controlled by my ego nor my goals, but by You.

So it is with trembling hands, I release to You 2011.  You determine my steps this coming year and beyond, Lord.

I do so much want to follow You.  To please You.  To obey You. 

Thank you for guiding me, directing me, and mostly for loving me, even when I stray.  Even when I try to snatch back control.

You have the first and last word for my future.

You are my only future.

You and only You.

God alone.


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Filed Under: lectio divina, Seasonal

Comments

  1. Colleen says

    January 4, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    I have learned a lot this past weekend about making plans. And about trust. Happy New Year!

  2. blankJean Wise says

    January 4, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    Love the quote: a plan is a hallway with many doors. I can plan and hope and dream, but in the end, God will decide. Thanks for the comments!

  3. blankGraceful says

    January 4, 2011 at 4:19 am

    I absolutely get this Jean — I have so much trouble with true trust. I think I need to print this out and post it next to my computer (where I spend most of my free time, of course!). Thank you for your wise words here…

  4. blankPhather Phil Malmstrom says

    January 3, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Wonderful post Jean. It’s so difficult sometimes to fully lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and place all our trust in His Hands. I struggle with this myself sometimes, but it’s such an amazing feeling to know He’s there next to us no matter what comes our way.

    Have a Blessed Day!

  5. blankchosenwoman says

    January 2, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    I just love the fact that God will allow us to make plans but He decides which steps we are going to take…A man’s ways does not always goes with God’s way…And though I make plans do things at the end it’s His Will that is done.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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