My Way or His Way
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” Job 23:10-11 BPEA
I once heard a delightful story of a little boy who didn’t like following the house rules and decided to leave home. His daddy caught him stomping to the front door, carrying his little overnight case in one hand and teddy bear in the other.
“I see you’re leaving,” his daddy commented casually. “That’s okay, but you didn’t have your teddy bear when you came to us, so you’ll have to leave him here.” Reluctantly, the youngster handed over his precious buddy. Daddy continued, “And that suitcase full of stuff too – and those shoes you’re wearing – you can’t take them. We bought those too.”
One piece at a time the father continued to make the little boy remove each item of clothing and hand it over, until he stood stark naked at the front door. The child quickly decided that the benefits of home far outweighed making it on his own.
I imagine Jesus sees us like that when we stubbornly insist on doing things our way. How foolish of us to presume we can make it on our own!
Everything we have comes from Him – our daily provision for practical needs, our life, breath, health and peace, just to name a few.
Job recognized this truth. Even after his health, family and possessions were stripped away, he responded, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
He trusted God’s omniscient, benevolent wisdom and care. That’s why, even before he experienced total restoration, Job could testify, “My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.”
The blessings of submitting our lives to Jesus far outweigh anything He requires of us. Galatians 4:7 explains, “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Willing submission to God’s will and plan for us in exchange for all the riches and blessings of the kingdom – give it some thought – but I’ll take the deal!
Following the Way is not a burden; it is a privilege. Under the security of His loving guidance, grace, provision and sometimes, discipline, you will develop into spiritual maturity, holding fast to His steps.
