Our Path, God's Reasons...

Sometimes we can be so self-seeking. We think anything that is put on our path (especially the unforseen or unexpected) must have some self gradifying purpose behind it. But God has His own reasons for putting certain things, situations or people in our path, and those reasons are not neccessarily always to please or feed into our wants or desires. I am real glad God is teaching me this concept first hand.

We need to become aware of the needs and conditions of those around us and those that God puts in our path. We need to ask ourselves, "What role does God want me to play in this person's life?" Maybe it is the role of an encourager or an exhorter (someone who lovingly puts you in your place). Maybe you are meant to help carry their burden in that moment and pray them through. Maybe you are meant to show them the way when they have lost all hope. Maybe you shouldn't share any words at all and just show them real love. Whatever the case might be, we need to become more sensitive to the spiritual climate the person is coming from and act accordingly. If all you do is go after your own selfish desires when it comes to what role this person could play in your life, then you might just be missing the point of why God put them there in the first place.

Here's a great example: Let's say God puts a real great person of the opposite sex in your path. If you're anything like me, your gut reaction might be "Wow maybe God put them in my life cause something could happen here. Maybe we're supposed to get together". Now don't get me wrong, that could very well be the case, but don't go blindly charging into anything before you have thought and prayed about it. Even though this person may be pretty awesome maybe that person (or yourself) isn't in a position to be having a relationship or going down that path with you. Could it be that God has placed you in their path for another reason.... a reason without romantic attachment.... a higher reason. Perhaps to be an example and an encouragment. Perhaps you can impart wisdom to them because you have gone through a similar experience that they are needing guidance in. Perhaps God has given you the privelege and responsibility to pray into them and their situations. Perhaps you are meant to believe in them when they felt there was no one around who did.

Don't be self-seeking in your encounters with others. You never know how God may want to use you. As Christians, we are God's ambassadors or representatives (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are always on call and never off duty. The TRUE Christian life is a 24/7 deal that demands all of you, whether you desire to give it or not. Don't do it half-heartedly or half-willingly. Live beyond your own wants and needs and look at what those around you may be in need of. Not everything or everyone that crosses your path is meant to serve your purposes. Try seeing how you can serve them. In doing that you may learn more and gain more in the long run then you ever thought possible!