Am I Going In The Right Direction?
Do you feel like you’re going in the wrong direction? Is there a pull on your life; you’re going one way but God seems to be pulling you another way? Well, you’re not alone. Many Christians feel like this at some point in their lives. Sometimes God places roadblocks and warning signs in our way, to let us know we’re going the wrong way. So when you see that things are constantly going wrong in a particular area in your life, maybe it’s God trying to tell you “Stop! Turn around! You’re going in the wrong direction!”
God’s plan
It’s often said, “God has a plan for your life.” And it’s true, whether you believe it or not, your Heavenly Father has a wonderful plan in mind for you. This plan does not only include your overall contentment and peace but also includes missionary work. Yes, that’s right, we are all called to missionary work.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
These verses, commonly known as the ‘Gospel Commission” are for all Christians, not only Pastors. Now, before you get scared, let me answer your question. No, it doesn’t mean we are all called to overseas missionary work. But we are all called to serve Christ by witnessing to others. We are all called to some form of ministry, whether that may be at your local church/community or somewhere far away from your home.
Related Post:
What is God’s Purpose for My Life?
When we surrender our life to God, we are allowing God to have full control of our lives. But we still have the power to make choices. You can choose not to follow God’s will for your life. You can even choose not to WANT to know God’s will for your life. God is still guiding but it’s totally up to you to apply the guidance to your life.
In our devotional passage for today, we read about a very famously known prophet; Jonah. Yes…yes, we all know the story of how Jonah got swallowed by a great big fish because he didn’t want to go to Ninevah.
But Jonah’s story is a classic example of God saying “Stop! Turn around, you’re going in the wrong direction!” It seems funny that God went to such great lengths to get Jonah to do what he asked him to.
But are we sometimes just like Jonah?
You can feel God’s spirit pointing you in a particular direction, but you (just like Jonah) are determined to run in the opposite direction.
“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”
Jonah 1:3
Imagine that, Jonah tried to ‘flee’ from the presence of the Lord. He literally tried to run from God. But he soon realized that God’s presence is everywhere; you could run but you can’t hide.
“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Jonah 1:17
Excuses, excuses…
From Chapter 1 we don’t see why Jonah was so opposed to going to Ninevah, but we can imagine some of his excuses. We sometimes make excuses for not doing God’s will, for example:
- I don’t like the people there
- But God, it’s too far
- I don’t have the qualifications
- I don’t want to leave, I’m comfortable here
- God, this is hard!
- Not now, but I’ll do it later
Now, hear me out. I’m not saying that every time something goes wrong, it’s God telling you to turn around; because the enemy attacks us when he sees us following Christ. However, there is a difference between being attacked while doing the will of God and God preparing blocks in our way. There is a ‘peace of mind’ when you choose to follow God’s guidance. You know everything will be ok because you’re doing what God wants you to do.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
God prepared a big fish for Jonah because he was heading in the wrong direction. What is the big fish that God has placed in your life today? God places blocks in your way when he realizes that you have gone off track. It could be the reason that that job you really wanted never called you back or it could even be why that person walked out of your life. It’s up to you to ask God’s guidance when you see these situations arise and make the choice (just like Jonah eventually did) to turn around to head in God’s direction.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverb 3:5-6
Prayer for Today:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I surrender my life to you. I ask you today to place those blocks in my way oh Lord. Stop me when I’m going in the wrong direction. Lord, I know that you know best and I might not always understand your way, but help me to follow your guidance anyway. Give me the faith to be obedient.
Amen.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article today. If you have a question, query or story you’d like to share with me, please leave a comment or email me using the form below.
