DIRECTIONAL OR DIRECTIONLESS

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

If the political ebb and flow we are passing through as a nation is a true barometer of what is on a person’s mind and what his/her desire/expectation is, there is a serious issue whether one’s hopes are Directional or Directionless. People express that they want “Change” but what does that mean. Any number of people just “want” without any specificity in terms of what “want” includes or means. When it comes to core values or constitutional adherence, there is a greater evidence of the nebulous (that which is hazy, vague, indistinct, confused) present in one’s expression (as over against one’s thinking).

Within the culture of this day, it is becoming more transparent and obvious that secularization is the dominant characteristic that has emerged. There once was a time when “In God We Trust” was more than a motto on our coinage and currency. There was a larger degree of both spiritual qualities and adherence present within the culture. Currently, most of that which was foundational principles and core values has been jettisoned. There is a spiritual cause and effect that is occurring, namely, Will the will of man overwhelm and suppress the will of God for the nation? Synesio Lyra, Jr. posts some interesting snippets on Facebook that are thought-provoking and declarations of basic truths to which one would do well to adhere. Yesterday morning, he posted: “Whatever questions we may raise to God, the answers already exist long before we may ask them!” This caused me to immediately reflect on how one views the eternal plan of the one true God. To do so can be challenging.

My thinking went in the direction of how frequently man’s will dominates and is in conflict with God’s will. There are many Biblical passages that could be referenced but the following stand out among them:

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV), “…Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Micah 6:8 (ESV), “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,  and to walk humbly with your God?”

And lastly, because the human will is often reluctant to accept and do God's will, the prayer for the Biblical Christian in Colossians 4:12 is determinative, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always struggling (wrestling) on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature (firm) and fully assured in all the will of God.”

We really need to desire these things as the reality in our lives. Some time ago, I wrote a book titled, Taking A Serious God Seriously (http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Serious-Seriously-James-Perry/dp/0983244154). The questions we must ask and answer are: Do I take seriously the eternal God and His Word? Am I committing myself daily to His perfect will and conforming my life to it? Am I fully assured, mature and firmly standing in all the will of God each new day? If so, you will be Directional rather than Directionless.

When you are attempting to be firmly standing in all the will of God for your life, you can expect challenge instigated by the enemy of your soul. This was the reason for Paul’s emphasis upon one’s need to put on the whole armor of God so that you can maintain your firm stand in all of God’s will for your life. Read Ephesians 6:10-17. The TLB paraphrase of Ephesians 6:13 summarizes, “So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up!” It is obvious some decisions must be made, (1) Do you believe God’s Word or your own feelings or intuition? (2) When was the last time you sang the Hymn – I Surrender All – and literally meant it? (3) Are you this day fully assured of what God’s perfect will is for your life not just for today but for the remaining days of your life? May the Lord give you strength, courage and determination to be Directional rather than Directionless as you stand firm and fully assured in all the will of God. Consider these things with me!