Which Way Should I Go?

"For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15, NIV)

How the enemy must laugh when we send ourselves into circles believing his lies. The doubt and condemnation is enough to make a person crazy! How many of you set goals for yourselves, make detailed plans to achieve them, then don't do anything with them? How many of you then think that the power and results come from God, so why should I be so concerned? God's plans will come to fruition no matter what I do or don't do. Then we hear the catchy affirmations like, "If it's going to be, it's up to me!"

So what do you believe - the affirmations created by man or the Scriptures created by God? Do we really need to think about this?! My personal desire is to be used by God for His purposes and I know that the desires in my heart are from Him. The toughest part is figuring out how to achieve those dreams and goals. Do I go after them strictly on faith, prayer and God's leading or do I set goals with action steps, time lines and accountability markers to check my "progress"? Can't I simply trust God to open doors for me and walk through them in confidence knowing He has given me everything I need for success? Or, do I have to work and work and work through actions versus work and work and work through prayer, faith and belief in God?

We often hear that our actions show faith in God. So what actions are the right actions for God's plans? His Word says to do with all my might as if I were doing it for Him. Isn't that my whole purpose for living? Aren't my actions to be a reflection of Jesus Christ? So, if I don't have my day planner completely filled with activities and I am not running the gerbil wheel at least twelve hours a day chasing after my dreams, am I not living right? Am I being disobedient to God? Is my "laziness" an offense to Him?

Dear God, tell me which way to go because all I know how to do is my best. Order my steps so that what I do brings You glory. If I am headed in the wrong direction, make your plans clear, close doors and turn me in the way in which I should go. My life is for Your honor. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.