TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Welcome to my annual event of second-guessing My Grace-Full Life and feeling totally overwhelmed. This is called She Speaks brain… When the information overload is great, the ideas are tremendous, and I begin to question all of my methodologies. Am I doing this right? Should I try this or that? I’ve never thought about starting a YouTube channel…. I’d rather be beaten than sit in front of a camera…. But maybe I should do a Podcast…. How much would a microphone cost? I wonder if My Grace-Full Life should change in format? Does my writing style need to change?
As amazing as She Speaks is, I am generally in the prayer room by now, asking God to help me filter out all this information. But without a designated prayer room in a beautiful and icy-cold conference center, I’m here in my living room…. Sitting in my prayer chair… mentally preparing for another full day of content that will be delivered in six more sessions by amazing and godly women I respect. And praying that God will give me the wisdom to takeaway from this what He wants me to take away — and to take the direction He wants me to take. I definitely have some new ideas to consider. God and I have some talking to do.
She Speaks or not, I’m sure everyone feels this way about something. Overwhelmed by options. Ideas. Suggestions. Critiques. Helpful hints. At some point, we have to simply go where we know God has to lead us to go.
How do you know when to listen to others? How do you know when they may be sharing something God wants you to hear? How do you know how to listen for God’s still small voice over the din of the world’s noise?
Today, let’s go to Proverbs 16:9. This is a verse that is painted on the stairway wall that goes down to my husband’s band room because it’s Wayne’s life verse — “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
As I sat through a small group yesterday, listening to other women talk about their vision for their respective projects, and mulling over all that I was pondering about My Grace-Full Life, I felt a very real message pressed on my heart. And it felt like God was reminding me that no matter what advice I’m given… no matter what the publisher said in our meeting… no matter what… if it’s God’s will for something to happen, nothing can stop it. I can’t screw it up. And no one else can get in the way.
I may make the plans. Others may tell me what they think I should do. The publisher may give input. But ultimately, God leads. And God’s will prevails.
It all reminds me of two of my favorite quotes:
- “If you think you’ve blown God’s plan for your life, rest in this. You, my beautiful friend, are not that powerful.” ~Lisa Bevere
- “‘When God put a calling on your life, He already factored in your stupidity.’ Most comforting thing I’ve ever heard.”
Amen and amen. I hope those bring you as much comfort as they bring me.
Today, as you pray, thank God that His plan is always better than ours and that nothing we do can keep His will from happening. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern God’s will for your life. Ask Him to help you seek it wholeheartedly and be ready to drop your agenda to follow His.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
One Response
I know exactly how you feel. I am taking part in She Speaks online this year. It’s not the same. So overwhelming. I had to take a nap yesterday afternoon!
Good to know I am not alone with the overwhelmed feelings. And God’s will prevails. It is easier when we cooperate with His plans instead of our own.