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If and Then

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  Prov. 3:5-6

Do you remember learning the concept of "If and Then" statements in school?  If you don't remember learning them formally, I'm quite sure you've heard them and even used them many times. These are statements that reveal what is going to happen, based on a prior action.  In my house, they sound something like this:
  • "If you don't clean your room, then I'm taking your iPod away."
  • "If you do well on your schoolwork, then we'll go skating tonight."
  • "If you don't clean your plate, then you can't have any dessert."

These "If and Then" statements are true for adults, too.  For instance:
  • "If you perform well at work, then you're likely to get a promotion."
  • "If you make your relationship with your spouse a priority, then you're likely to stay married a lifetime."
  • "If you don't manage your money well, then you're going to be swimming in debt."

Well, God in all of His divine wisdom, used plenty of these type of statements in the Bible.  Many times they explicitly contained the actual words, "If" and "Then," but sometimes they were merely implied.  You might not have ever thought about it, but our focal verse from Proverbs 3:5-6 is an example where we can infer that God is telling us what will happen if we do certain things.

This "If/Then" statement actually has three things that are prerequisites on our part before God will fulfill his part.  Perhaps we need to read this verse in this manner:
  1. If you will trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
  2. If you will lean not on your own understanding, and
  3. If you will acknowledge Him in all your ways,
Then He will make your paths straight.

What I think is important to note is that this verse doesn't give us the option of picking and choosing which of the "if" statements we find easiest to fulfill and then expect to be able to reap the blessing of God directing our paths.  This verse implies that we must do ALL three things stated if we're desiring for God to truly guide us in our decision making, in our trials, and ultimately in every aspect of our lives. 

I don't know about you, but there are days that my life doesn't evidence my complete trust in God.

There are days that I rely totally on my own understanding, not His.

And there are plenty of times where the choices I make and the things I do don't acknowledge or honor God.

And then I wonder why I can't seem to sense God's direction and will for my life and my choices. 

It's in those times that I need to stop and take a personal inventory of my life.  I have to ask myself if I'm fully placing my trust in Him, or if I'm relying on what I think is best.  I also have to search my heart and determine whether or not the choices I am making in every aspect of my life are honoring  God.  It's in those beautiful times of reflection whenever God very lovingly reveals to us why we're not sensing His direction in our lives. 

As beautiful and comforting as this verse appears to be, it is also very heavy.  I know that I personally need to trust a little more, lean a little more, and acknowledge Him a little more.  How about you? 

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