Have thine own Way...

Over the past month or so, I have found much comfort in old hymns. Today, Have thine own way is on my heart. I went outside early this morning to really focus on Christ and spend time alone with Him. I used a commentary, God's Best for my Life. Its an old familiar favorite. I have used this devotional since I was a freshman in college. I have practically memorized several passages over the years.

Today's message centered around James 4:13-17.

"13Pay attention to this! You’re saying, “Today or tomorrow we will go into some city, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.” 14You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. 15Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” 16However, you brag because you’re arrogant. All such bragging is evil. 17Whoever knows what is right but doesn’t do it is sinning."

Pretty powerful stuff for our family as we are constantly seeking God's will in our lives... our vocations... our family. I can think of a million examples of how I have "planned" our future... overseas missions work, occupations in remote areas of USA, going back to school. With very little guidance from God, I plan. But what I miss is the importance of my relationship with Christ here on earth. That is the one thing I will take with me into heaven. An even more amazing thought is that when I let it all go, I can feel the tension of my self planning fall off and I can trust that God, my God, can do so much more than I could ever cook up on my own.

So today, I give it all to God, who always has my best interest at heart.

"Have thine own way God,
Thou are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will.
While I am waiting yielded and still."