Proverbs 16:9
"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord
directs his steps."
I know in my mind that God is sovereign and in
control, but I wrestle with trusting His sovereignty. If I really trusted
God’s rule then I would not battle with worry and anxiety so much.
What I am learning about God’s control is that no
door will open for me, unless God opens it, and no door will close, unless God
closes it. (Rev. 3:7-8) A good illustration of this is found in a true story
that happened in Swan Quarter, North Carolina, in 1876.
The Methodist Episcopal Church South needed a new building. When an individual donated a lot on Oyster Creek Road, the congregation gratefully accepted the gift. The property was in a low-lying area, so the church constructed the new building on brick pilings. A few days later, a terrible storm passed through the area. The town flooded! The new church building was lifted from the brick pilings by the rising waters, and it floated down the road. People witnessed as the church building, still intact, moved towards the center of town. Then, at the town’s center, the building made a sharp right turn and drifted with the water until it landed in a vacant lot.
Amazingly, the church sits on the same lot 130 years later. It is now called the Providence Methodist Church. Even more astonishing, however, the site where the building landed was the original location selected by the church for their new building. The landowner had refused to sell the lot to them. The morning after the flood, the landowner presented the pastor with the deed to the property.
The Methodist Episcopal Church South needed a new building. When an individual donated a lot on Oyster Creek Road, the congregation gratefully accepted the gift. The property was in a low-lying area, so the church constructed the new building on brick pilings. A few days later, a terrible storm passed through the area. The town flooded! The new church building was lifted from the brick pilings by the rising waters, and it floated down the road. People witnessed as the church building, still intact, moved towards the center of town. Then, at the town’s center, the building made a sharp right turn and drifted with the water until it landed in a vacant lot.
Amazingly, the church sits on the same lot 130 years later. It is now called the Providence Methodist Church. Even more astonishing, however, the site where the building landed was the original location selected by the church for their new building. The landowner had refused to sell the lot to them. The morning after the flood, the landowner presented the pastor with the deed to the property.
Honestly, we can make our plans, but God
determines our steps. It is wise to start each day with a dynamic trust in the
Lord. May our motto be: "Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your
paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
·
Take time to trace the Lord’s meticulous plan in
your life. Think of people, events, and meetings that God orchestrated. How did they influence you in bringing
you to where you are now?
·
How can tracing God’s providence in the past give
you courage for the future?
·
Thank God for the people that he has placed in
your life! Ask God to use you as an agent of his grace this week. If you are in need, ask God to send you
a Boaz!
·
Share
your God story with someone before next Sunday.
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