Rules of the Road - Part 3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV). Recognition is not such a hard pill to swallow. Everyone likes to be recognized for their achievements and for the difference they have made in life. Now the inverse of that is a different story. It hurts when recognition is not forthcoming, especially when something you may have worked long and hard for. But stop and think about it, our reading today brings out a very interesting question. When was the last time that you acknowledged God for the part that He plays everyday? In yesterday's devotional I wrote that we should believe that there is an ever-ruling and compassionate hand of God ordering and guiding us in all our affairs. And, we ought to come to a place that we live our lives in that the presence of Him at all times. That brings us to the second “rule for the road.” We must also “seek his will in all we do.” One of the main attributes in recovery classes for alcoholics is to "believe in" and have ongoing "interaction with" a higher power. Those who have succeeded in the program, have found that "higher power" to be the key to sobriety and good health physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These same ideas have been carried over into "life-skills" classes for those who are not necessarily alcoholic, but have problems coping with life issues, usually centering on knowing how to establish boundaries. This is the essence of “seeking his will,” or as one translation puts it: “acknowledging God in all we do.” What does it mean to acknowledge God? First, it is to believe that He is. Jehovah means "The Existing One". That suggests an "eternal entity" that has always been. He did not start with a big bang - nor will He go out with a whimper. HE IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD - mighty in power, and boundless in compassion, unmeasured in mercy. However, it is also to acknowledge him as he is. To discern, to distinguish, to know by experience the reality of his presence as a daily "life-force" in all that you do. To acknowledge the Lord Jehovah is to experience Him in worship, and in personal and private fellowship, to wait on him in the night watches, and to listen for His voice. To acknowledge the Lord Jehovah means to recognize our shortcomings and failures without Him, and not see Him as stealing the "limelight" for a job well done, but admitting that without Him it would not have been possible, no matter what. To acknowledge The Lord means to be so surrendered to His will in our lives, that we wish to keep nothing from Him; but desire to be so open to Him that we allow Him to "catch us" when we fall into temptation, and not think that we can muddle through on our own, dealing with the insurmountable guilt of our wrongs, but allowing Him to take us "as we are", and clean us up, and establish in the faith. How’s your journey so far? Use these “rules” to determine if you’re on the right track. The promise is that when we do, we will gain renewed health and vitality! I’m in on that! Aren’t you?