Direction Is Enough

We regularly wish that God would reveal a particular destination before we begin moving.  That is, of course, how we humans do it.  We decide we want to visit or move to location X and than we head in that direction.  In fact, to do it any other way would justifiably violate human wisdom and probably draw warranted criticism.  Can you imagine leaving for vacation traveling West without pre-knowing your destination?

There are unique times where God operates in a similar way.  He says, "I want you to go to Nineveh," as in the case of Jonah.  But most of the time God desires us to trust in Him, and as a result, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).  Sounds like a great deal until we actually realize what it means.  We will live much of our lives on this side of eternity not knowing the next stop on the timeline.

Well we are not very good at trusting and moving without knowing where we might land.  We would prefer God to say this, "I am going to bring you to place X, job X, relationship X in 1, 3, 5 years.  So trust me as you go towards that destination." Instead, God says, "Trust and walk with me.  I will make sure you are headed in the right direction.  And the next ________________ will present itself at the appointed time."  Very few things are more counter-intuitive for us to do than this.

God is interested in who we are becoming and where we are going but in that order. Becoming has to do with the sanctifying process God desires to unfold in us.  Arriving has to do with a new season for which the Lord has made us ready.  And impatience voices its opposition through it all.  Patience is a fruit of the Spirit not to merely keep us from getting angry in long lines but to keep us in God's timing.

The germination period for mature expressions of righteousness vary from person to person but is commonly longer for most of us than we think.  Peter thought he was ready now.  But Jesus knew some more work was needed in him before the fruitful Day of Pentecost.  So he kept Peter in Him, walked him through episodes of sin, repentance, and victorious living, and pointed him in the right direction.  And Peter eventually collided with Acts 2.

Direction is enough when we find ourselves securely in Christ.  Do not despise a day full of process and void of conclusion.  It is good.  It is ok.  It is His work.  Destination might be near or far but the right path is available now.

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden