While I am a firm believer that God has a master plan and that many of the things we experience in life are part of that plan, I also believe that He has blessed us with the ability to choose not only how straight that path will be based on the choices we make, but to also choose whether or not to even follow. Though we'll never be able to fathom how great God's plans are or the steps He's already determined for us, we cannot live our lives aimlessly, without purpose, intent or effort and expect God to roll out the red carpet for us. We have to intentionally and deliberately choose to put forth the effort to not only follow His will by obeying Him but to also choose to put our trust in Him to direct us in the right direction.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do and He will make your paths straight- Proverbs 3:5-6
The Bible teaches us in Galatians 6:5, that we are "each responsible for our own conduct". When we fall short of God's standards with the choices we make (which is bound to happen) we have to live with whatever the consequences and outcomes are. When we intentionally do things like ruining our health goals by constantly making poor nutritional choices on a daily basis, we cannot blame the negative results on anyone else but ourselves, nor can we sit and wallow in self-misery. We have to accept responsibility for our choices and trust God to help us figure out how to either live with the outcomes or make the changes that are necessary for us to get back on His path. The beauty is that each and every time we fall, we are saved by God's grace and are given the opportunity for second chances, all because Jesus Christ lived and died for us.
We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.
- Acts 15:11
Because we are saved by His grace, no failure, poor choice or struggle goes to waste. God is always going to find a way to use these things for our benefit and for His glory."We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
Despite all of the things God does to redirect our paths, we still have to continue to put in the effort to do His will. In doing so, we will prevail on the path of least resistance. "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Galatians 6:9
Every day the choices you make say what you are and who your heart beats for, it's an open door, it's your life.
- Francesca Battistelli
