I went to my hometown in northeast Texas this past weekend to visit my parents. I love being close enough to be able to make a quick trip like that. My parents had some videos from my childhood that we enjoyed watching and laughing at. Amidst the humorous aspects, I was also struck with the reminder of how strong-willed I have been throughout my whole life. I am so often prone to want to do things my own way!

In one video, we made a trip to Colorado and we were feeding marshmallows to some deer. While I’m certain that this did not offer them any nutritional value, they swarmed around us to get what we were offering. My parents were continually telling me to give my siblings and cousins a turn with the deer, to share the limelight, and to stay away from the edge of the mountain. But I wanted to go my own way; to do what was right in my own mind. I still so often find myself believing that my way is right.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “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 your paths straight.” “All” is an inclusive word…there truly is no room in this passage allowed for reliance on ourselves. Scripture talks about how deceitful our hearts truly are (Jeremiah 17:9). We cannot trust them! So often our hearts want things that have no edifying or eternal value, much like the lack of nutrition provided in those marshmallows.

How quickly we forget that God’s way is always right. The Lord gives us guidance in His Word to make us more holy. How easy it is for us to lean on our own understanding. When we think and live in our flesh, everything is filtered through our sinful minds. We go our own way. In contrast, when we truly trust God and seek after Him, He promises to guide our steps. He will make us more like himself. He calls us to know Him. Trust in the Holy Spirt to guide you today. Lean on Him to mold your heart to desire Him above all else.

Love in Christ,
Adam