The Plumbline

Have you ever just asked God to give you the common sense to do what needs to be done, ignoring what shouldn't be done? I have on many occasions - simply because my common sense alone doesn't keep me from doing what I should not do! The sense to follow God's commands is not always the first thing that comes to mind for us, is it? Sometimes we choose to ignore what we know is right in pursuit of what we know might be 'okay', but it isn't exactly 'right'. We need his wisdom to know the difference. You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. (Psalm 119:73 NLT) Who best knows the creation than the one who created it? The one who created us is perfectly aware of all the inner conflict that goes on between wanting our own way and knowing we need to follow his commands. He knows the 'tension' this creates within us and he stands at the ready to help us navigate that tension together. The good news is that there is ...

I am the one who cut a path through the mighty ocean. (Isaiah 43:16) What 'mighty ocean' do you need God to cut a path through this year? Like it or not, there are times when insurmountable obstacles lie in our midst, begging to be crossed, but seeming to be without a way. The 'way' is made by God. There was no 'bridge' for the Israelites to cross when the Red Sea stood in their way. There were no 'steppingstones' across the rushing waters. There wasn't even a 'shallow' crossing point. The waters were their barrier between where they had been and where they needed to go. Some of us are standing right there today - between where we have been and where we need to go. I don't know about you, but I am not much good at 'building bridges'.  Maybe we need to trust God with making the way across instead of trying to build the bridge on our own! Too many times we attempt to 'fix the fix' without waiting on God to see how he will...