We Are All Streams

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
                                                                             Proverbs 21:1-2 ESV

I was reminded tonight that God's plans will not be thwarted. In all things, His sovereign will is sure and established and will not be overthrown. There are no forces of heaven, hell, or earth that can threaten what God has decreed to take place. Christians (in America especially) need to remember this. God is sovereign. Over all of it. And that includes hearts.

In the midst of the discussions right now about this person's beliefs on X and this other person's policies on Y, let us not lose focus nor lose sight of this one basic truth: God turns the hearts of man--even those in authority--however He pleases. The heart of every man is a stream of water before God. He will direct as He so chooses. Does this mean we excuse wicked beliefs or values that are against God and His character? No. Scripture is clear on this point. Our responsibility coincides with our sovereign God. But as we talk of figures in public office especially, let's do keep in mind that no heart--no heart is immune to the sovereign Spirit's call to repentance. Let's not, in our terminology and mindset, resign ourselves to the unregenerate state of those around us--no matter how perverse their ideologies are. If we claim to believe that God is all-powerful and is capable of the miraculous yet do not take seriously the very real capacity He has to turn the wicked toward Himself, then perhaps we need a refresher on what took place when He saved us.

Pray that God would turn the hearts of men. Pray that He would guide streams to the Fountain of Living Water.

Steps Established

"The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps."

The reality of Proverbs 16:9 hits me again and again. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I continued to face new situations that required a renewed sense of trust in the sovereign God I serve. But trust is a tricky thing. By that I mean...it's really, really hard. My pride and desire to have control always get in the way and prevent me from simply resting in the fact that God establishes my steps.

In three months, I will be heading south to begin studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. For the first time in my life, I am moving away from home. I commuted during all four and a half years of college, and I saw my childhood friends just about every week. I've never felt a sustained sense of...lostness. (Unless you count the mornings when I wake up forgetting what day we're in.) I've known nothing but home. I've been comfortable.

Therein lies the problem.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not moving primarily to "get away" and force myself into the unknown. I do sense a call to serve in church ministry of some kind so I believe seminary is the next best step for me. Yet, I am also aware that comfort can be an idol--and often is. When I make decisions (or don't make them) based strictly on whether or not I will remain comfortable, I have raised that feeling on a pedestal it is not worthy of having.

Leaving will be uncomfortable. I am counting on it. I'm not dreading it, but that's probably because it's still three months away. (Ask me, mid-April.) Change has always been uncomfortable for me. But I don't think it would be out of line to say that God has worked a significant portion of my growth through and in the change. For that reason, I eagerly await what lies ahead.

If you would like to stay up-to-date on my experiences "down south," read of the (hard) lessons I'm expecting to learn, and see how worthy our God is through what He does in my life, I invite you to subscribe to See How Worthy for weekly updates.

Soli Deo Gloria