No Wrong Moves

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.     Jeremiah 10:23 ESV

As I read this verse this morning, I was not sure quite what to make of it.  I mean, I had highlighted the verse previously, so it immediately stood out to me as I read.  But the words seemed very applicable to the thoughts that were already swirling in my head. 

As I contemplated, I thought it might be helpful to view the verse in another translation…

NLT: I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.  We are not able to plan our own course.

NIV: Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.

Well, I determined that I was understanding the verse correctly, but still I had questions (still HAVE questions!) in light of current circumstances of life.  I mean, am I not supposed to make plans?  How am I supposed to know which way to go?

We’ve just made some pretty significant life change.  We’ve moved to a new state, new jobs, new terrain, new struggles.  We’ve done a lot of praying, a lot of thinking, and a lot of decision-making.  While we’ve taken steps with great trepidation and care, we have stepped in the direction we felt we should go.

We’ve also done A LOT of second-guessing!

In this season of change, Jeff and I seem frequently to be asking ourselves and each other, “Did we make the right move?”  It’s fair to say that we’ve been feeling a little off-balance…

But as I’ve continued to consider Jeremiah’s words, I began to understand them as a simple commentary on the sovereignty of God.  And I began to take comfort.

 

About a month ago, I applied for a job that I was certain would be offered to me.  At my interview, a position with the agency was all-but offered.  I left with promise of a confirmation call later in the afternoon.  The call never came.

 I rationalized that they got busy.  For the next week I told myself that they had listened when I said I would be out of town for the week and were probably waiting to call me after I returned.  There was no doubt in my mind that this agency would consider me a valuable addition to their team and would certainly offer me the job.  I had some reservations as to whether or not I would accept the job (thus I had waited and not immediately followed up with them), but I could not imagine that they wouldn’t call me back. 

The position the agency was looking to fill is not the sort of job people are beating down the door to get.  It’s the kind of job where, if you get a warm body, you generally hire the person.  If you get someone who is experienced and capable, you count yourself fortunate and move heaven and earth to convince them to work for you.

About a week ago, I got a notification from Indeed that the agency decided not to move forward with my application.  Seriously -  I got a notification from Indeed!  No call from the lady who said she’d call me the same day.  No email thanking me for making the long drive to the location and taking the time to meet with them.  Just an automated email from an online search engine notifying me that someone had gone in and unchecked a box to indicate that they were not interested in hiring me.

I’ll admit, I was a little ticked off!  I had decided I didn’t actually want the job, and I’d already lined up work that seemed more interesting and far less stressful.  But I was still annoyed. And I remain confused.  I cannot figure out any reason – good or bad – that this agency would not have tried to hire me with the qualifications I brought to the table. 

Jeremiah had my reason: God directs my steps.  

That’s what I said I wanted.  I asked Him to do that.  I prayed before sending the application.  I prayed before, during, and after the interview.  I asked.  God answered.

 

Sometimes, I think we all get really worried about making a wrong decision.  We worry that we’ll choose the wrong college, marry the wrong person, buy the wrong house, take the wrong job, pick the wrong restaurant for lunch after church on Sunday.  For me, all through life, that fear of making a wrong decision has left me prone to indecision.  I avoid making unnecessary commitments, and I procrastinate on making necessary ones.  As Charlie Brown of Peanuts was often told, “You’re too wishy-washy!”

Am I the only one?  

I am so encouraged today by Jeremiah’s words.  I’m not ultimately the one who is planning my course.  Yes, I make choices moment by moment, day by day.  I worry and question and think and overthink EVERYTHING!  I’m so afraid of making a wrong move!  But I cannot make a decision that is going to thwart God’s plan, which ultimately means that I CANNOT make a wrong move.  I am not powerful enough to mess up what God has willed, and that is such good news!

I am not in control.  And neither are you.  I pray that news will encourage you today.

…Just a thought…