I’m greatly saddened today and in fact I suppose I would characterize myself as being depressed. It is unusual for me to be anything other than optimistic, but today I find myself with a very low spirit. As I examine my condition this morning and grapple for a solution, I have gone to the Lord and asked for His guidance.
In business I always instruct junior managers that there are three easy steps involved with solving problems:
- First we must identify the problem.
- Once the problem has been identified, we must find a way to resolve it and do so.
- Finally we must put measures in place to prevent that particular problem from recurring.
Okay so what’s my problem this fine morning?
Hmmm… The problem is that the peace, joy and love that can only come from God seem to be missing from my life. I feel restless, full of angst, and…gulp…out of God’s will for my life.
Okay problem identified; how do I resolve it?
It has been wisely said, that if we keep doing things the exact same way we are doing them, then we can expect to obtain the exact same results. Obviously I need to change some things in my life in order to solve my problem.
Okay what do I change?
I’ve always looked at life on three basic levels and in fact I set goals accordingly. They are spiritual, personal, and career. Spiritual entails both my personal walk with God and my ministry to others. Personal involves my relationship with my family, my health, and hobbies. Career encompasses accomplishing my business objectives which provides funding for my lifestyle.
Each level needs to be carefully examined and I need to try and understand what needs to be modified. Herein lies a problem, God doesn’t clasp His fingers together like an NFL quarterback and tell me to huddle up and then call a play. In fact he has never verbally uttered a single word of instruction or otherwise to me.
Communication with God and understanding what He would have me to do is accomplished through earnest prayer and listening for an answer. God is not a screamer. He gently whispers. I know that I’m on the right track when I feel His peace, joy, and love descend upon me and completely blanket me. It is the greatest feelings in the world bar none, (and trust me I’ve pretty much tried a little of everything that this old life has to offer).
So today I will begin a journey of carefully scrutinizing my life beginning with spiritual, then personal, and career. I will pray that God will guide me through the process and identify what needs to be changed in each area in order for me to “get right” with God. I realize that I was created for HIS purpose and not my own; thus it becomes incumbent on me to find that course of action and follow it.
In the end I know that I may be temporarily down, but I’m not out and I have faith that God will come through for me. I need only patiently listen and await His answers and when He reveals them I must be obedient to His will for my life.
It has been 41 years since I accepted Christ and I’ve had my ups and downs to be sure, but God has remained faithful to me and today one thing is sure, I have tremendous faith in Him. Sometimes I don’t “see” all that well, but I have faith that He will love and protect me throughout eternity forever and ever.
Paul mentions that we should walk by faith and not by sight. I would ask you my friends to pray for me as I take this journey and that God will reveal an exciting course of action that will accomplish His goals in good fashion.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!
2 Cor. 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight”