A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
This motivational thought is based on the concept of seeking and tracking the plans of God. The Bible tells us that God knows the plans he has for us; plans for his shalom; that is, peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and a future filled with hope.
This concept is what we call God-tracking. Remaining in God’s perfect will is paramount to God-tracking. To remain in the will of God we need to acknowledge him in every aspect of our lives. If we do this, he will direct our life’s track, ensuring that we remain within his plans for his shalom. However, as is my experience, sometimes we acknowledge God and then go ahead and make the decision to take on an opportunity only to discover it ends in failure. Does this mean that God has not directed our path?
I was recently presented with a business opportunity. The idea had much potential. Before I began to set it up, I prayed and committed the plan to Jesus. I acknowledge God in this opportunity through prayer and confession, fully intent on seeking his sovereign will in moving forward. I will admit, however, right at the offset, I had a still small voice check in my spirit that it was wrong for me, but I progressed, regardless. After only three months, it became evident that I had made the wrong decision. We shut the operation down.
“Lord, why did this venture fail? I acknowledged you from the start. Why did you not direct my path according to your plan?” I grumbled. “But I did direct your path,” came the sense of the Spirit’s answer in an instant. “You made the wrong choice, but I have brought you back on track to where I planned for you to be in the first place,” I sensed he was saying.
Your plans may be sure in your eyes, but God weighs up your tomorrow. In a man’s heart, he plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. So, have confidence in the plans that God knows he has for you. Trust him without leaning on your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and he will direct – or redirect – your path.