[e-Devotionals] 2001-05-30 - Change

Hearing God's Callings, Part 6

Encore from 99-02-17

Deuteronomy 1:6-7 (NLT)When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, "You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on."

When temperatures plummet during the spring, I drape sheets over the trees and ornamental plants that have budded out, to protect them from the sudden change in weather. When God has a calling in our lives, He places a hedge around us to protect us and guide us along the way. Unlike my plants, we can still make our own decisions, which may be contrary to God's plan for us. However, whether we do it our way or God's way, He remains faithful to us.

Do you go around seeking change in your life? Do you like change? I have found that most of us do not enjoy it. Change brings stress, uncertainty and fear into our lives. But God also uses change in our lives to propel us toward His callings.

Change is the fifth characteristic of a calling from God in your life. Think about this for a moment. When we seek to earnestly follow God and He intercepts our paths, change is evidence of this interception. Sometimes we are moving in one direction toward a goal that is ours and not God's. Then God, through whatever means, redirects us along the way toward His plan for our lives.

Sometimes change involves God redirecting us within a calling. He wants us in a particular situation awhile until it's time for Him to move us again. I call these "seasons of preparation." God is simply preparing us for the next phase of our calling. The direction we were going in was within God's will, but now He is moving us farther along to another place in the calling.

The big question remains: How do I know if it is God calling me to change my direction, or if it is just my own desire? If you still have this question, review the first five devotionals in this series. You can find them at:

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/links/authdave.htm.

Below is a summary:

  1. All callings from God are direct one-on-one callings in the first person. You will never hear God's callings unless you are presently where God has already called you.
  2. All callings from God have clear direction. If we are moving in the direction that God has called us, He will continue to move us in that direction. Where God guides, God provides.
  3. All callings from God are in the form of Authoritative Commands. God is NOT a God of ambiguity or confusion.
  4. All callings from God have a great promise attached. This promise gives us hope, hope gives us faith and faith gives us belief in the calling.
  5. All callings involve change. If you are moving in a direction contrary to God's plan for your life, He will intercept your direction and move you toward His plan. God will never move you in a direction that is contrary to His word.

The prophet Jeremiah prays a great prayer, a model prayer for all of us today. Constantly pour your hearts out to God, asking for His guidance.

Jeremiah 10:23-24 (NLT) I know, LORD, that a person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course. 24 So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.

My prayer for you is that this series has blessed and will continue to bless each of you. All of us here at CF Devotionals are glad to help you or direct you to someone that can help with your walk in Christ.

David Massey

david@e-devotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.e-devotionals.org