Marybeth Whalen
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
I got an email the other day from some of our church friends—all the way from their new home in Papua, New Guinea. As I read the description of their lives in this primitive place, I was struck by how amazing their transformation has been. When I met Dane and Kema just a few years ago at a Proverbs 31 banquet, they were a young, attractive couple raising two kids in suburbia, living a comfortable life. In fact, they were planning to build their dream home on a piece of property they had bought, and excitedly shared their dream with us at dinner that night. In short, they had a life others would envy.
But behind the scenes, God was doing a work in their hearts—getting their attention in some different areas. First, God laid it on their hearts to sell that piece of property and downsize their dream so they could give to the church’s building fund. Then God used a mission trip to open their eyes to the needs beyond suburbia. Through that trip their hearts were opened to both missions and children from that part of the world. Not long after, they adopted two children from that area, making four children in their home under the age of five! All of these seemingly isolated events eventually led to the biggest change of all. Dane announced he was selling his orthodontic practice and going to the mission field, where God was calling them.
When I think back to Dane and Kema’s journey, I realize that they were on what I call the “yes path” to God. God had a destination for them that was so radically different from where they were He could not reveal it to them all at once. If He did, they probably would have run away screaming! Instead, He gently and gracefully revealed His plan one step at a time, one “yes” at a time. Yes Lord, we can do this for you. Yes Lord, we will do that for you. Along the way, God prepared their hearts for the future He had in mind.
God has a path for each of us if we will only take that first step with that first “yes.” My path looks different from Dane and Kema’s. Your path will look different from mine. The path is not important and, in reality, the destination is not either. What is important is the relationship you develop with God along the way. God wants to see you take that first step by saying, as Dane and Kema did, “Yes Lord, I will do that for you.” He wants you to reach for His hand and say, “I can’t do this alone.” At that moment, you will be on the yes-path to Him and you will also be more dependent on Him than ever before. I am sure you will find that the yes-path to God is an exciting and life-changing place to be!
Dear Lord, I want to say yes to what you ask of me. Help me have the courage to take steps on the path that leads to a closer walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For the Write Reason, Marybeth Whalen, General Editor
Shaped with Purpose by Renee Swope
Listen to Today’s Radio Show
Application Steps:
Do you have verses that challenge and encourage you to take the steps God is asking of you? Write those verses down somewhere prominent so you can meditate on them.
Reflection Points:
What is God asking of you? Are you saying yes or pretending you don’t hear? What obstacles in your life do you need to remove so you can say yes? Don’t let anything stand in the way of drawing closer to God!
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (NIV)
Psalm 139:24, “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (NIV)
Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (NIV)
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
I got an email the other day from some of our church friends—all the way from their new home in Papua, New Guinea. As I read the description of their lives in this primitive place, I was struck by how amazing their transformation has been. When I met Dane and Kema just a few years ago at a Proverbs 31 banquet, they were a young, attractive couple raising two kids in suburbia, living a comfortable life. In fact, they were planning to build their dream home on a piece of property they had bought, and excitedly shared their dream with us at dinner that night. In short, they had a life others would envy.
But behind the scenes, God was doing a work in their hearts—getting their attention in some different areas. First, God laid it on their hearts to sell that piece of property and downsize their dream so they could give to the church’s building fund. Then God used a mission trip to open their eyes to the needs beyond suburbia. Through that trip their hearts were opened to both missions and children from that part of the world. Not long after, they adopted two children from that area, making four children in their home under the age of five! All of these seemingly isolated events eventually led to the biggest change of all. Dane announced he was selling his orthodontic practice and going to the mission field, where God was calling them.
When I think back to Dane and Kema’s journey, I realize that they were on what I call the “yes path” to God. God had a destination for them that was so radically different from where they were He could not reveal it to them all at once. If He did, they probably would have run away screaming! Instead, He gently and gracefully revealed His plan one step at a time, one “yes” at a time. Yes Lord, we can do this for you. Yes Lord, we will do that for you. Along the way, God prepared their hearts for the future He had in mind.
God has a path for each of us if we will only take that first step with that first “yes.” My path looks different from Dane and Kema’s. Your path will look different from mine. The path is not important and, in reality, the destination is not either. What is important is the relationship you develop with God along the way. God wants to see you take that first step by saying, as Dane and Kema did, “Yes Lord, I will do that for you.” He wants you to reach for His hand and say, “I can’t do this alone.” At that moment, you will be on the yes-path to Him and you will also be more dependent on Him than ever before. I am sure you will find that the yes-path to God is an exciting and life-changing place to be!
Dear Lord, I want to say yes to what you ask of me. Help me have the courage to take steps on the path that leads to a closer walk with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For the Write Reason, Marybeth Whalen, General Editor
Shaped with Purpose by Renee Swope
Listen to Today’s Radio Show
Application Steps:
Do you have verses that challenge and encourage you to take the steps God is asking of you? Write those verses down somewhere prominent so you can meditate on them.
Reflection Points:
What is God asking of you? Are you saying yes or pretending you don’t hear? What obstacles in your life do you need to remove so you can say yes? Don’t let anything stand in the way of drawing closer to God!
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (NIV)
Psalm 139:24, “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (NIV)
Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (NIV)
Labels: Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God
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