Read
Proverbs 3:1-12
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.                             Verses 5&6 (NIV)

Reflect
Early in our marriage we had a wall hanging, that Naomi had woven, with this verse: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). That hanging was intended to remind us that we had made a clear decision to follow and serve Jesus.

When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, all our other decisions are based on obeying his teachings, not relying on our own understanding. Guided by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, we know what to do. We know that God’s Spirit will not tell us to disobey God’s Word. Obedience and right choices lead to being on the right path, whatever the cost.

We make conscious and not-so conscious decisions throughout every day. The choices we make say something about who we are and whom we serve. Is life “all about me,” or am I aware that what I do is really my response to the God who saved me? We read, “In all your ways submit to him.” That calls for trusting that God’s ways are good, and that following them leads to living life to the full, as God intends for us.

Knowing what to do, making right choices, comes more easily with a whole-hearted commitment to serving Jesus. Then, like Jesus, we’ll be focused on our calling to be disciples who make decisions based on knowing God’s will and serving Him.

Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for being the example of living obediently. By the power of your Spirit help us to make decisions based on your Word. In your name, Amen.