When I was in Junior High it was a big deal each year when the Gideon’s came to our school and handed out New Testaments to the 9th graders. They don’t do that anymore, but in the early 70’s it was still allowed. Anyway, when I was in the 9th grade I got my bright orange New Testament skimmed through it and tucked it away.
In 1992 I was asked to give my testimony at a ladies retreat. I was scared to reveal that I wasn’t as perfect as others thought I was but I’d had too many “nudges” from God to not go through with it. As I was reading my Bible I came across Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path” (this is from memory so may not be perfectly in sync with the actual Bible verse) This verse spoke to me, it reminded me that as long as I was letting God direct my path I wouldn’t have regrets. (too bad I didn’t take that verse to heart earlier in my life, I’d have saved myself a good bit of grief)
Shortly after giving that first testimony I was going through some boxes, just guess what I came across …. My bright orange New Testament from the 9th grade. I flipped through it remembering how important I felt when I got it, being a 9th grader and all. I stopped when I noticed ONE verse was underlined, AND it was underlined in red. Guess what verse it was… yes, Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. WOW! Twenty years earlier as a kid, that verse spoke to me.
A few years ago my sister Laurie sent me a travel mug for my birthday, it had that same verse on it! I had to call her right away and tell her that story. That verse has come to mind yet again recently. There are so many things in this world I just don't understand. Why some people suffer and some don't, why some seem to have the strength to make healthy, good choices and others seem to make bad decision after bad decision. Why do some people hear God speak so clearly and others can't hear a word? My list of questions is so long...So many things I just don't know or understand.
Something I DO know is that if I trust in the Lord with all my heart and don't try to figure out why to everything, and if I let God know I know He's there and really listen for Him, (not for what I want Him to say or do), then I can trust that there won't be regrets. Then I can trust He will not lead me in the wrong direction.
I would say that Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 is my life verse.
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