I woke up late this Sunday morning. It’s been a busy week and my body is telling me I have overdone it. My muscles are achy and my head is throbbing. Not good things at all. It seems I’m either going at a snail’s pace, in pain and frustration, or a mile a minute, which often leads to pain and frustration. There is no happy medium.
I opened my journal to meditate on some scripture I had written there and fell upon this verse:
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6 NASB)
Goodness knows I could use some straight paths. There are so many days I feel like I’m on the road with all the curves and detours. But for a moment, the words “acknowledge Him” grab my attention. What does that mean exactly? I’m going to need to understand that in order to have those straight paths, right?
A quick look at www.dictionary. com reveals this:
ac·knowl·edge
verb (used with object), -edged, -edg·ing.1.to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth,or fact of2.to show or express recognition or realization of3.to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of4.to show or express appreciation or gratitude for5.to indicate or make known the receipt of
admit to be real, true, recognize existence, truth, fact
authority, validity, claims
appreciation, gratitude
receipt
I also looked up Proverbs 3:6 in a few other translations:
think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (HCSB)
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (The Message)
think about
submit
seek Him
listen for His voice
Why do I ever think I can do this on my own? Why would I ever want to?
The God who created me, who loves me like no other, is waiting to make my paths straight, to keep me on track, to guide me to the right path for my every day life. But he’s waiting for me to do my part . . . to recognize His power and authority, listen for His voice. He is waiting for me to submit and seek Him.
And seek Him, I do. With all that I am, I want more of Him and less of me. And this becomes my prayer today.